John, 'Johnny,' P.A. Johnson

In the predawn hours of Oct. 24, 2020, John “Johnny” Johnson taxied to the end of the runway for the last time and was cleared for takeoff. Jesus, his Savior, led the way to his eternal home. There was much singing and rejoicing in the heavens. Did you hear it?

Born to Art and Evie Johnson in Roseau, Minn., John was the eldest of the four children comprising of brothers, Dave and Phil, and sister, Joyce. Following graduation from Roseau High in 1957, John set his sights on an agricultural engineering degree from the University of Minnesota. Little did he know then that by enrolling in the Naval R.O.T.C. program at college, that act would resonate throughout the rest of his career and life.

John found the perfect partner in Caroline during those college years. The two married upon graduation in 1962 and headed for Pensacola, Fla., where John, as a commissioned officer, completed pre-flight training and basic flight training. He decided on submarine patrol prop planes because he said, “they did a lot of very low flying, which I liked ... and had a bubble window. You could see straight down and all around.”

Somewhere during that time John discovered the power, speed and aerobatics of jets, pushing the thoughts of prop planes right out of the picture. He was on his way to Advanced Flight Training at Beeville, Texas. On March 20, 1964, John had his Navy wings on to San Diego to train and fly the F-8 Crusader as a photo reconnaissance pilot. John was attached to VFP-63 and NAS Miramar.

During the next three years, John made two long deployments on West PAC carriers, flying off the USS Oriskany, (CVA-34) in 1965 and the second cruise, in 1966-1967, aboard the USS Ticonderoga (CVA-14). Most of his combat flying was over North Vietnam, where the carriers were stationed at or near “Yankee Station” in the Tonkin Gulf. He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, along with many other combat awards and commendations.

Much like many Vietnam vets, it took John almost 50 years before he shared some of his stories with his family and friends through a short autobiography of his Navy flying years. He was a great pilot and extremely humble.

John was so steady, laid-back...the kind of guy you want in the cockpit! He lived life in a play-it-by-ear scenario, because “God is in the details.” He always kept his achievements in perspective to God, making sure that God would always be glorified. He never held a grudge and put integrity first in every aspect of his life.

Following his discharge from the Navy, John moved his family to Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, which he always said was their “best play-it-by-ear” of all. He worked at a variety of jobs through the next several years with Calkins Mfg. and Atlas Building Center, along with flying for IFI. In 1996, John started a business in his hometown of Roseau, Minn., supplying and assembling parts for Polaris snowmobiles. The business later expanded to manufacturing parts for Polaris and currently employs 90 people.

John’s heart was always open to helping others in need and for missions around the world. After 16 years, John turned his business over to his sons, Dave and Mike, and retired to his home of 47 years in Hayden Lake, Idaho.

John loved being out in the hills, hunting, camping, fishing and being with his friends. He loved air shows, birds and flying. Did I say he LOVED flying? John's second home could be found in his hangar at the Coeur d’Alene airport, where he and like-minded friends contemplated and solved many of the world’s problems.

He had a passion for smoking fish, any kind of meat, jerky and anything else you could think of. Smoked Cheerios was suggested, and was once found wondering how smoked olives would taste ... really?! This passion was surpassed only by the number of recipes stored on his computer that had to do with smoked foods, thanks to YouTube and Pinterest.

John especially looked forward to his weekly Bible study, gathering to read and study God’s Word, and treasured times with his old friends where the telling and retelling of shared adventures happened.

John truly loved all his children and grandkids and treasured the hours and times he had with them. Because of his love of birds, the “grand girls” and daughters-in-law had his favorite small bird, the “Jenny Wren,” tattooed on each of them, in various locations, to honor Grampa (“Bumpa”) one last time. They were part of Grampa’s “bird gan.”

Forgiving, thoughtful, generous, tender, thankful, secure within himself, hero and grateful are words that have been used to describe this man.

Above all else, John loved the Lord Jesus Christ, never wavering in his faith, attending and serving at Coeur d’Alene Bible for over 40 years, and Hayden Bible Church as his final church home. John lived by his life verse, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths.” Proverbs 3:5-6.

But John said it best, ”don’t fret, God is in the details,” and reminded us ”God is my Pilot, I’m Just along for the ride,” as he slipped the surly bonds of earth.

The rejoicing. The singing in the heavens. Did you hear it?

John was preceded in death by his parents and sister, Joyce. He is survived by his wife, Caroline, of 58 years; his daughter, Tracy, (Darren) of Spokane, Wash.; sons, Douglas of the United Kingdom, David (Willow) and Michael (Laurel) of Warroad, Minn.; grandchildren, Ashley, Blade, Kyle, Savannah, Evie, Laura, Eli, Ronan, Jude, Winter, Abby, Isaiah, Libby and Spencer Sabourin; great-grandchildren, Everett and Grace; brothers, Dave (Eunice) of St. Cloud, Minn., and Phil (Berta) of Roseau; and numerous nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to the Union Gospel Mission or Hospice of North Idaho.

Memorial services will be delayed until mid-summer.

Yates Funeral Home has been entrusted with final arrangements. Please visit John’s online memorial and sign his guest book at www.yatesfuneralhomes.com