Colonel Jerry R. Johnson

"Colonel JERRY R JOHNSON 5/21/1932-12/31/2019; Colonel Jerry R Johnson, 87, loving husband, devoted father and longtime resident of Las Vegas, passed away December 31, 2019. Jerry was born May 21, 1932 in Moline IL, to Ray and Orpha Johnson. He enlisted in the U.S. Air Force in 1951, served 26 years, and rose to the rank of Colonel. Jerry was awarded a Business Management degree from Golden Gate University, and worked at the Stardust Hotel, Las Vegas Referrals and was the president of the F-86 Saber Pilots Association. He loved the Air Force and especially flying. He piloted a variety of planes including T-6, F-86, F-4, F-101, and F-111. He flew 156 combat mission with 100 over North Vietnam. He held assignments all over the world from Morocco to Hawaii and twice at Nellis Air Force Base where he was the squadron commander for the 422nd. He married his wife Dorothy in 1956, and they lived a beautiful marriage for 63 years. They raised two children, daughter Linda and son John. Jerry led a full life with travel, golf, bridge, and close friendships throughout his life. He joins his daughter, Linda; and brother, Dwain in Heaven, Jerry is survived by his loving wife, Dorothy; his son, John; and brother, Lloyd."  From Las Vegas Review-Journal/Legacy.com

Jerry was my Dad's little brother. (Lloyd came along later after Orpha remarried.) Their early years were pretty tough, and Jerry didn't talk about it much. Their father, Ray, was a roll turner in a steel mill, but work was not steady during the Thirties.  They ate a lot of corn meal, and lived in a little tarpaper shack. Ray died in 1940 from a perforated ulcer, and that was a hardship neither one of the boys talked about. Orpha married a successful farmer and their lives improved considerably, but both of them said that going into the service was great.  They had good shoes, good clothes, and the best food of their lives. Jerry loved S.O.S.  Jerry was in the mess hall one day when an officer came in and asked if anyone there wanted to learn how to fly.  Jerry stuck his hand in the air, changed his life, and had a memorable career. Jerry stayed in touch with Dad through the years, and after Dad passed away in '05, he called Mom every Sunday morning.  Susan and I took a few vacation trips with Jerry, Dorothy, and John; those are special memories.  Jerry was a hero to me as long as I can remember, and we are sure going to miss him.