Harold F. Johnson was born on April 15, 1944 in St. Louis, MO to the union of Jack Johnson and Rosie Bizer. He was the first of seven children. He was a graduate of East St. Louis Lincoln Sr. High School in 1965. He furthered his education at Vatterott College in 1969 as a welder and architect blueprinter. He continued to further his education at United Brotherhood of Carpentry and Joiner of American where he graduated and completed his term of apprenticeship and awarded a journeyman certificate.