Franklin S. Johnson

M/SGT Franklin S. ,Johnson August 10, 1933 – April 23, 2019

Frank Johnson was born August 10, 1933 to Eimer and Mary Alice Johnson in Washington, NC. He was the second of four children that came to make up the Johnson family. He was preceded in death by brother Laurice Johnson in 1991 and sister Faye Johnson Pouliot in 2017. Frank passed away peacefully at his home in Arvada, Colorado, April 23, 2019. He is survived by numerous cousins, nieces, nephews, and his sister Janice Lucas.

In 1950 Frank was an inquisitive young man eager to begin life’s adventures. He joined the local Army National Guard in Cheraw, SC, on his 17th birthday. The Korean war was looming so his enlistment was troubling to his family to say the least. After a year stateside in the Guard he transferred to the Army Air Force and subsequently the United States Air Force where he served honorably for 26 years, 29 days. His gunnery training began on a B-36 bomber but most of his career was as a tail gunner on the B-52 Stratofortress that debuted in 1952 and still defends our country today. He was a proud member of SAC, Strategic Air Command. He retired from the Air Force as a Master Sergeant in 1976. During the Vietnam war he was based at Lowry AFB, Colorado. From time to time he was assigned to duty at Andersen AFB, Guam, and Utapao AFB, Thailand.

While based at Lowry AFB, Colorado, Frank met and married Mary 0. Lucero in 1952. They adopted a son, Anthony Dean Johnson in 1963 and then daughter Michelle Lynette Johnson in 1965. Anthony currently resides in Arvada, Colorado. Michelle is married to Michael Sommers and lives in Oak Harbor, Washington. Mary Lucero Johnson passed away in 2002.

Still a young man at 43 when Frank retired from the Air Force in 1976, he began a career with the Regional Transportation District. He retired from RTD after 17 years as a bus driver. He then could pursue his passion for playing poker at several Blackhawk casinos.

Memorial donations may be made to the Salvation Army:

https://www.salvationarmyusa.org/usn/ways-to-give/

 

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Visitation: May 13, 2019 10:30 am

Horan & McConaty - Northwest/Arvada
7577 W. 80th Ave.
Arvada, CO 80003

Funeral Service: May 13, 2019 12:00 pm

Horan & McConaty - Northwest/Arvada
7577 W. 80th Ave.
Arvada, CO 80003

Graveside Service: May 13, 2019 2:00 pm

Fort Logan National Cemetery
3698 South Sheridan Boulevard
Denver, CO 80236
(303) 761-0117
https://www.cem.va.gov/cems/nchp/ftlogan.asp