27th April 1936 - 29th January 2023
We are heartbroken to announce the passing of Richard E. Johnson on January 29, 2023 in his home in Bartlett, TN after a battle with cancer.
Richard was born on April 27, 1936 in San Francisco, CA to George Delos and Ada Belle (Huff) Johnson. After the death of his mother in 1947, Richard traveled solo, by train, to Iowa to live on a farm with his Uncle and Aunt, Edgar and Gertrude (Huff) Leonard until he graduated High School. Upon returning to California he enlisted in the Aviation Cadet Program of the U.S. Air Force in 1955, and was commissioned a 2nd Lt. By 1957 he was awarded his Navigator Wings. He was first trained as a B-47 Navigator and later as a B-52 Radar-Navigator. During the Vietnam War, Richard was forced to eject from his stricken B-52 the first night of Operation Linebacker II, on December 18, 1972. After three days of hiding, he was captured and spent 101 days in the Hilton Hanoi POW Camp. He was released during Operation Homecoming on March 29, 1973. After 24 years of service, including 10 years of Cold War and Vietnam War active combat service, hundreds of missions and thousands of flight hours, Richard retired from the Air Force on December 31, 1978 in the rank of Lieutenant Colonel.
The U.S. Air Force recognized Richard for his honorable services with the Distinguished Flying Cross With Valor Citation for his outstanding heroism and selfless devotion to duty.
After his military career, Richard moved with his family to Bartlett, TN and worked for FedEx as International Flight Planner for 22 years, retiring in 2004. Richard, together with his wife, was very engaged in the community and the affairs of mentally and physically disabled children. Upon the closure of the Arlington Developmental Center (ADC), the Johnsons joined other ADC parents in establishing West Tennessee Family Solutions for their special needs daughter Carla and other children in the community. Richard served as President of the Board for several years. In his spare time Richard enjoyed spending his time with his family, especially his grandchildren, playing golf and fishing.
Richard is preceded in death by his parents, George D. Johnson and Ada Belle (Huff) Johnson; Aunt and Uncle: Edgar Leonard and Gertrude (Huff) Leonard; two brothers: Kenneth and Robert.
Richard is survived by his sister Donna Leonard of Oregon, his wife of 60 years, Carolyn (Max) Johnson, his three children Carla, Michael, and Ashley (Florian), his grandchildren Samuel Johnson and Matthew Johnson; and many nieces and nephews.
A gathering of family and friends for Richard will be held Sunday, February 5, 2023 from 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM at Memphis Funeral Home and Memorial Gardens, 3700 North Germantown Parkway, Bartlett, TN 38133. A funeral service will follow at 2:00 PM. A committal service with full United States Air Force Honors will take place in Memorial Gardens.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.MemphisFuneralGermantownParkway.com for the Johnson family.
