John Johnson

Died April 22, 2020 at the Southeast Louisiana Veterans Home in Reserve, LA.

Preceding him in death was his beloved wife of 63 years, Beverly Tassin Johnson, brothers John Clarence Jr and James Robert, sisters Josie Mae and Alma Ruth. He leaves behind his son Gregory Scott Johnson (Debbie) two grandchildren, Amanda and Andrew Johnson of Louisville, KY, a brother, Charles Eugene Johnson (Jerre) of Garland, TX, sisters-in-law, Jean Tassin Walker, Elaine Tassin, Nancy Tassin Driggers, and brother-in-law, Charles Driggers. Loving and missing him dearly are numerous nieces and nephews including Richard Huye (Stephanie), Nina, Phyllis, Susan and Robert Walker, Virginia Walker Robinson (Craig), Nicole Adams, Gregory Kaiser Jr, great nephew Gregory Kaiser III and cousins Janet and Leonard Ray Sr and Leonard Ray Jr.

Johnny was born Oct 7, 1929, to John Clarence Johnson Sr and Willie Hazel Carroll in Dallas, TX when it was mostly farmland. At age 17, he enlisted in the Navy where his career as a Radioman took him into the Korean War aboard the destroyer USS Chandler. In 1955, he married Beverly and they began a life of love and world travel.

After serving in the Navy, he joined the Air Force as a Communications Technician. In that capacity, he was stationed in the Arctic Circle on the Distant Early Warning Line (DEW LINE) as part of the North American Air Defense Command (NORAD.) From there, he served as an Airborne Surveillance Technician stationed in France aboard the "eye in the sky" AWACS aircraft with the NATO Airborne Early Warning and Control Force.

When that operation ended overseas in the mid sixties, Johnny's military service continued in the highly specialized underground

Cheyenne Mountain Air Force Station near Colorado Springs, CO, the NORAD facility supporting aerospace warning against ballistic missile or air attacks on North America. From there, he retired.

Accustomed to being busy and being multifaceted, he began a new venture as a service repairman for GE in Houston, TX.

General Electric, always a pioneer in home appliances, opened the first 24/7 consumer information service, the 800 number GE Answer Center in Louisville. Johnny and his family transferred there. The pleasant, knowledgeable voice advising how to operate a new stove or dishwasher or any GE appliance in the home, may have been that of Johnny Johnson.

In their 63 years of marriage, the Johnsons lived on the island of Guam, Glendale then Riverside, CA, Chateauroux in France, McAllen and Houston, TX, Colorado Springs, CO, Louisville, KY, Pass Christian, MS, Clermont, FL and Prairieville, LA. They shared many travel and camping adventures in those diverse locales.

Retirement for Johnny was never a time to just kick back. Even when still working, he was busy in his off hours honing his skills in carpentry and landscaping. Every home the family lived in featured a lovely, manicured lawn and garden, and often, a swimming pool. Handyman Johnny accomplished both subtle and outstanding upgrades to every house, wherever they lived.

Together, the Johnsons made warm welcome to numerous family members and friends over the years.

A private memorial to celebrate Johnny's life will be held at Resthaven Gardens of Memory in Baton Rouge on Tuesday  June 16, 2020 at 11 AM.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St Jude.org.