Shortly after midnight on March 14th during Iditarod XXXIX, Inupiaq Eskimo, John Baker, left White Mountain on his way to victory in Nome. Around the same time, another Inupiaq Eskimo musher and long time resident of the area, Paul Johnson, checked into Unalakleet. A large crowd of family, friends and volunteers greeted him. Down on the slough there was plenty of celebration. The local graduates sang their Alma Mater as a greeting to Paul and his team. Up in the checkpoint there ware tables laden with food – a banquet and incredible camaraderie for all to enjoy. The celebration went well into the wee hours of the morning.

Rising sun framed by Paul Johnson's Sled - Iditarod XXXIX

Fast-forward to mid-morning. Paul’s dogs were fed long ago and are sleeping soundly behind a windbreak on the slough. He’s received hearty congratulations on reaching his home town on the coast and has had some time to sleep and savor the 700 miles of the Iditarod that are behind him. Attention has turned to Nome and the historic event about to take place on Front Street. A half dozen people have gathered inside the checkpoint around the one and only computer that’s connected to Internet to watch the crowning of a new champion via live Insider video feed.

Johnson, looking much the worse for wear at mile 700 of the Iditarod, interrupted his sleep to join the small group around the computer. Paul wore a sizable wound on the bridge of his nose from a recent race along the old portage trail between Unalakleet and Kaltag when the temperature dropped to minus 50 degrees and he suffered more than a little frostbite on his face. His forehead was completely white, a stark contrast to the rest of his face which was red, if not ruddy. Was it windburn? It was burned all right but not by the wind. At a checkpoint back on the trail, his cooker flared up and singed his face, eyebrows and parka rough.

Paul sat with the others in front of the computer holding a cup of coffee. He dozed off and on but somehow kept the cup in his hands upright. When the commentators announced Baker’s arrival on Front Street, Paul woke and focused intently on the small computer screen. As he watched John Baker and team approach the burled arch, Paul smiled and said, “He’s the first Eskimo.” His voice was quiet but filled with pride and conveyed a great sense of achievement for the Inupiaq people. A few days later, Baker was waiting at the arch to greet Paul when he finished his second and final Iditarod.

Paul Johnson in Nome

Paul Johnson, a member of the Norton Sound Dog Club was no stranger to sled dogs and mushing. His father used dogs in providing for the family – hunting, trapping and general travel. Even before that his Grandpa, Henry Ivanoff, passed the precious life saving serum to Leonhard Seppala on Norton Sound during the Great Serum Run of 1925. Paul’s interest in the Iditarod was born with the race itself. He finish 24th in 1986 on his first run to Nome. Johnson helped his brother Middy train for the 2010 Iditarod. With a dog team that was too good to sit home in 2011, Paul was encouraged by his family to make the run. He finished 34th place.

Paul Johnson will be remembered for his gentle, unselfish and kind spirit. He was generous toward all with his time, talents and possessions. Along with running sled dogs, he liked to hunt fish and build things. Those who knew him were indeed fortunate. Rest in peace.