Joseph Manley Johnson, born 1930, a native of Jamestown, North Dakota, passed away peacefully on April 14,2021, in Carmichael, California. He is survived by his brother Jerome Johnson, son Robert Johnson, and daughter Carol Bowman, granddaughter Kristen Bowman, and grandson, James Bowman III. He was preceded in death in 2013 by his beloved wife, Gayle.
Joseph served 23 years in the U.S. Air Force during the Cold War era with the 1155th Technical Operations Squadron, service that took him him across the United States and Pacific many, many times. After Air Force retirement, he greatly enjoyed a second wind in retail management. Joseph was active with his Air Force unit’s (AFTAC) alumnae association, serving as the California chapter president. His continuing friendships with these great people were a constant in his retirement years.
To his family, Grandpa Joe was always the iconic Sargent: get it done, get it done now, get it done right. Joe accrued so many great life experiences from the farm in ND, his travels in Asia, his and Gayle’s trips across the U.S. to visit MLB baseball parks, family camping (especially in Hawaii and Trinity County), and his colleagues in the Air Force. The weekend before his death, he entertained all his family members with his great reminiscences.
Joseph will be interred at the Sacramento Valley National Cemetery in Dixon, joining Gayle.