Contributions to the tribute of Alfred James Johnson Sr.

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Bert Johnson uploaded photo(s)

Wednesday, January 10, 2024

On December 19, 2023 about 7:30pm I lost my big brother. About 19 months after diagnosis, cancer took him from us. With a 4 year 11 month age difference, we often were not very close thru school years (this was back in the days you started school in the 1st grade, and graduated from the 12th grade at the same school). He was into Greek Mythology, joined the Spanish Club, and was on the school football team. I did none of those things. Low impact track and cross country were more my speed. By the time I reached high school, Al had joined the Army. He wanted to jump out of airplanes. He got his wish and over the next few years in the 101st Airborne he had taken off in perfectly good airplanes about 30 times… but never landed. I didn’t do that. Navy submarines were more my speed. Al would go on to leave the Army and then return to active duty two more times before retiring from a highly successful career just one day after I retired from the Navy back in 1993. All of that Army and my Navy career succeeded in keeping us separated for nearly 30 years. During that time, our Father died of lung cancer at the age of 63 after a 7 year struggle (3 pack a day smoker). I did not make it home in time to say goodbye. After retirement, Al stayed in the Pacific Northwest and I settled about an hours drive away. We started reconnecting finally. Our Mother would die of lung cancer in the spring of 2005 just weeks before her 83rd birthday (never a smoker). I did not make it home in time to say goodbye. I’ve grown up to understand that Al and I had wonderful parents who loved us and made our early years enjoyable. I learned a lot from Al, but in unconventional ways. I would watch him try something, get in trouble, I would take notes. He seemed fearless. In Mother’s final years she had one wish for Al and I and that was for us to grow closer to each other. If we meet up in the after-life I think we will have to answer to her for dragging our feet getting there, but I believe she will be proud that we did finally meet her expectations. I love you big brother. Goodbye.

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Lori Williford posted a condolence

Thursday, December 28, 2023

Marty, Al Jr and the rest of the family members, Cliff and I want to extend our deepest condolences in the loss of Al Sr. He was such a special person. I think Ralph Waldo Emerson said it perfectly - “To laugh often and much: To win the respect of intelligent people and the affection of children, to earn the appreciation of honest critics and endure the betrayal of false friends; to appreciate beauty, to find the best in others, to leave the world a bit better whether by a healthy child, a garden patch, or a redeemed social condition; to know even one life has breathed easier because you lived. This is to have succeeded.” Al certainly succeeded in life. Fondly, Cliff and Lori Williford

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Jeffrey E. Hansen posted a condolence

Wednesday, December 27, 2023

My Hero MAJ Al Johnson Everybody needs a hero and mine was MAJ Al Johnson. Let me explain. Way back in 1992, I was activated for deployment to Somalia with the 62nd Med Group. Although I was happy to go, being a pediatric psychologist who had spent most of my Army time in medical centers, I know little to nothing about the basic tasks of soldiering, particularly in combat situations. Then came along MAJ Al Johnson, a soldier’s soldier who knew the Army inside and out and who had had previous combat experience. Al must have taken pity on me and decided to take me under his wing. And that he did. During our fist firefight (and don’t get me wrong, being a psychologist, I was a noncombatant, so I was by no means any kind of a war hero), Al exposed himself to fire and found and retrieved my helmet and flak-jacket, handing them me saying, “Here put these on.” So, I spent the next many weeks following in Al’s shadow and reading his cues. When he was confident, I was confident, when he showed concern, I followed his lead and took caution. One time I heard a strange sound whizzing by and really didn’t think much about it. Al said, “Did you hear that?” I responded nonchalantly, “Yeah.” Al quipped back, “Jeff, that was a round that barely missed us.” Yes, he taught me to read the cues and the need to respect and follow them when they signaled danger. I discovered that Al had faith when just boarded a C5 for the flight home but only an hour or so into the flight, we found ourselves in the most turbulent weather conditions I have ever been in - and being the son of a pilot, I have had many harrowing flying experiences and this one was by far the worst. I thought to myself, ‘Crap, we survived this Somalia thing, only to have the wings torn off this oversized aircraft and die on the way home!. I gazed up and saw fear in the flight crew chief – not a good cue. Al looked at me and said, “Jeff, do you pray? If so, now would be a good time.” Words were few as we prayed silently together until the terrifying turbulence quelled. In the years that followed, Al and I would have many deep, personal, and oftentimes academic discussions. Al was brilliant, incredibly well-read, and just downright interesting. His keen mind and independent spirit allowed him to take a different perspective on matters and, in so doing, taught me many things. I often relied on Al for guidance and input on difficult clinical cases and on military matters. Also in our conversations, I came to more fully appreciate the adoration and devotion that he had for his dear wife, Marty, and his pride and love he held for his son, JJ. That I will miss my hero, friend, and mentor, MAJ Al Johnson, is an understatement. But my heart will remain deeply grateful for the mark he made on it. Thank you, my good buddy (he often called me that) for taking me under your wing. And as you fly to heaven, you will get the download on how things work up there and will greet me only to give me the skinny on what I will need to know. So, until I get there, enjoy meeting everyone in God’s kingdom. As we both know, you never met a stranger. With deep love, Your buddy, Jeff

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Bert Johnson Posted Jan 10, 2024 at 10:48 AM

Jeff - What a beautiful and moving tribute! God bless you. -Bert Johnson (Al’s brother)

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The family of Alfred James Johnson Sr. uploaded a photo

Friday, December 22, 2023

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The family of Alfred James Johnson Sr. uploaded a photo

Friday, December 22, 2023

A Memorial Tree was planted for Alfred Johnson Sr.

Thursday, December 21, 2023

We are deeply sorry for your loss ~ the staff at Huckleberry Creek Cremation Co. Join in honoring their life - plant a memorial tree

Alfred James Johnson Sr.

1941 - 2023

Plant a tree in memory of Alfred