Harry "The Horsethief" Johnson III, age 84, took his final victory lap, peacefully passing on May 14, 2026, with family by his side. He will be remembered for his fun-loving personality, master storytelling abilities, sense of humor, and the legacy he left on the Midwest dirt racing world.

Harry was born on October 19, 1941, in Grand Rapids, Minnesota to Harry and Hazel Johnson. After graduating from Grand Rapids High School in 1959, he attended Dunwoody College of Technology for Mechanics. He began working at Strowbridge Motors shortly after completing his technical degree and continued there until opening his own successful motor shop business, Horsethief Motors, in the late 1970's.

Harry's interest in racing started in the 1950's with his dad bringing him to watch the races at the state fair. He would attend the stock car races in Grand Rapids regularly until the age of 19, when he began his own racing career behind the wheel of a 1949 Olds Coupe. Harry would continue to race until he was 57 years old, with much of his racing career in the driver's seat of sprint car #50.

Throughout his almost 40-year racing career, Harry won many local and Midwest feature races and several track-point championships. He was well respected in the racing community for his advice and helpfulness to other sprint car drivers and was the recipient of the Sportsmanship Award many times. Harry "the Horsethief" is a Hall of Fame inductee at three speedways: Grand Forks, Hibbing, and Grand Rapids. He was also a strong competitor in several World of Outlaws sprint car events.

Harry's favorite sound was the sound of an engine. He spent his life working diligently on them at his hometown shop, Horsethief Motors, finishing his last engine build at age 80. He was known for his top-tier builds; at one point, three-quarters of the field of cars at the Grand Rapids Speedway were running on Horsethief Power!

In 1962, Harry married LaVonne Wilson. Together, they had two children: Brenda and Harry IV. Later, Harry married Karen Hamilton, who he was with for a large portion of his racing career.

Harry was proud of his children and the lives they created. He enjoyed spending quality time with each of them, never missing a family get-together or opportunity to watch the Vikings at his son's house. Of course, his camera was always with him to capture these special moments for him to pridefully share with others.

Harry was a man of quick wit and one-liners, one of them being: "Can't beat fun for a good time!" He loved spending time with his friends, sharing stories and talking about racing. He lived his life having or creating fun wherever he went, whether it was racing, working, or being a grandpa. He loved being a grandpa and great grandpa, and enjoyed hosting movie nights, bringing grandkids to the circus each year, and attending their parties, programs and sporting events as much as possible. He would always choose to sit at the kids' table during family gatherings, wanting to be immersed in their young lives and laughter - always a kid at heart, he was!

To most, he was the legendary Harry the Horsethief; to us, he was our dad, grandpa, and brother who loved his family, friends, racing, dogs, and ketchup.

He was well loved and will be forever missed by his family, dear friends and the racing community.

Harry is preceded in death by his dad, Harry II, and mom, Hazel. Harry is survived by: his brother, Doug (Shirley) Johnson; daughter, Brenda (Mike) Johnson; son, Harry IV (Brenda) Johnson; granddaughters, Anna (Luke) Francisco and Olivia (Jesse) Downey; five great grandsons, Otto, Huxon, Milo, Beau, and Arlo; great granddaughter, Summer; two nieces, Sara (Mike) Vanneste and Emily Johnson; and many many friends.

A visitation will be held on Friday, June 5, 2026, beginning at 10:00 AM at Community Presbyterian Church, Grand Rapids, MN with a memorial service to follow at 11:00 AM at the church.  Lay minister Mary Shideler will officiate.

Memorials are preferred to Great Tails Animal Shelter, 34572 Whitetail Blvd, Cohasset, MN 55721.

Arrangements are with Rowe Funeral Home and Cremation Services of Grand Rapids, MN. To sign the online guestbook or send condolences visit www.rowefuneralhomeandcrematory.com.