Maj. Harold E (Johnny) Johnson (USAF Ret.)

July 31, 1923 - Nov 22, 2012

Harold was born the first of 6 children to homesteaders Axle and Alice Johnson in Colome, SD. Very early in his young life he became responsible for managing the family farm during the Great Depression.

Soon after graduating from Colome High School he enlisted in the US Army Air Corp in WWII, marrying the love of his life Mary Agnes Wendler before shipping overseas. He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for piloting a crippled B-17 into liberated Belgium after a raid on Germany.

Johnny's Air Force career included serving as Flight Instructor, Test Pilot and Acceptance Officer. When he retired from the Air Force after over 20 years, he moved his office 2 doors down and continued to fly for The Boeing Co. with similar responsibilities. He was the liaison from Boeing whenever The Blue Angels appeared at Seafair. He retired as Senior Instructor Pilot on the 747 program after more than 20 years of service to Boeing. He liked to say he had been in every country with an airport big enough to land a 747.

After retiring, Mary and Harold traveled the US in their motorhome, terrifying fish wherever he went and settling at last in Moses Lake. He was a lifetime member of VFW and Knights of Columbus.

Harold is survived by his wife Mary (next April 15th would have been their 69th wedding anniversary), his brothers Walt and Dick, daughter Joy, sons Jim, Greg and Jeff as well as 8 grandchildren.

Services at Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church Saturday December 1 at 11:00 am.