At nearly 80 years of life, Harold Ray Johnson was sung into heaven by family members Monday, June 26, 2023.
Born August 23, 1943, to Beulah Johnson while his father, Lloyd Harold Johnson served in Europe during World War II, Harold made his first appearance in Eldorado, Illinois.
He spent his formative years in McLeansboro, Illinois participating in Cub Scouts, playing the trombone in the band, and beginning his military career in the Reserve Officer Training Corps. From a very young age, he knew his dream was to fly for the United States Air Force.
During college at Southern Illinois University in Carbondale, Illinois, Harold first met Lynne Gelmi at a dance in the student union. That evening he walked Lynne and her friend home before spending the next three years wooing Lynne to be his bride with movie dates and rides on his motorcycle, despite her early protests about his purchase of the vehicle.
He graduated in 1965 and reported for duty to the United States Air Force at Webb Air Force Base in Big Spring, Texas as a Second Lieutenant in pilot training. Lynne joined Harold on his adventures as his wife on June 4, 1966. Harold and Lynne received a black Dodge Charger with a red stripe down the side as a wedding present rounding out the first three of Harold’s loves and giving him the first of many memorable cars.
As a pilot of the Phantom Jets from 1967 to 1968 in Vietnam, Harold flew more than 250 missions in support of the war effort. Harold earned an Air Medal and a Distinguished Flying Cross for his service over North and South Vietnam.
Upon his return to Big Spring Harold spent three years as an Instructor Pilot before continuing his service to the United States Air Force in the Reserves.
From Big Spring, Lynne and Harold bounced around Indiana and Illinois. During this time, they were introduced to their daughters through Beulah and Lloyd’s work at the Baptist Children’s Home in Carmi, Illinois. As Harold served as the Safety Officer at Barksdale Air Force Base, Lynne and Harold welcomed Beth (Drake) and Lori (Conley) as their own. With Beth and Lori, Harold’s passion for knowing a lot about a lot was tested by his first teenagers.
Over their years in Bossier City, Larsen Drake and Mark Conley came along to woo Harold’s daughters and eventually convinced Harold they were worthy of his approval.
In 1979, Harold and Lynne moved for the final time to Keller, Texas. Their son Christopher was born in March 1981 as Harold served as an Air Carrier Instructor for the Federal Aviation Administration. Over the next several decades Harold and Lynne also welcomed their grandchildren Ashley Conley (Steve Hensel), Trey Drake, Chrissy Conley (Drew Zadow), and Lauren Drake (James Buras) while also developing their love of camping and visits to Colorado.
In 2010, Harold finally retired fully from the FAA. Since his retirement, Harold honed his love of telling stories to witness tirelessly to everyone he met. For anyone who would listen and prove worthy of his time, he was loyal. He spent a lot of time studying the workings of Costco in hopes that one day he might be able to open his own and faithfully grow his collection of all the things.
The 2000s proved to be the crowning glory of his passion for growing a family. His son married Jillanne and he welcomed two new grandchildren, Corban (7) and Callan (5). His grandchildren also began to marry and welcome his great-grandchildren Clara (5), William (5), Hayes (3), Caroline (1), and Freddy (1).
After his immense success at outflying anything during Vietnam, it felt like Harold could overcome anything. And truly, as he was sung home to heaven by the voices of his family to snuggle his angel great-grandbaby Lily Buras, he had.
In honor of Harold’s service in Vietnam, please direct donations in Memory of Harold Johnson to the Roever Foundation (roeverfoundation.com) to assist veterans with healing, in lieu of flowers.