Johnney Dean Johnson

Johnney Dean Johnson was a most amazing man whose drive and demeanor allowed him to master a multitude of talents.  John was born on April 26, 1944, in El Paso, Texas to Walter G Johnson and Billy Joe Dean.  As such he started his life as the son of cattle ranchers.  At the mere age of 4 he lost his father in a plane accident.  Shortly after Walter’s death,  Billy Joe married Norman A Barton and relocated to Gretna, LA .  Billy Joe and Barton, who he loved as his father,  supported John’s inquisitive nature as he dreamed of becoming an Engineer.  It seems that once John became a young adult he developed an insatiable thirst to know what made things work, what made things fly, and what made motors run, especially gas combustion engines. During high school Johnney used his musical skills to tune and repair pianos.  He used the extra funds to buy, build and fly remote controlled model airplanes.  Love of this hobby led him  to participate in Civil Air Patrol and ROTC at Tulane University.  At Tulane he earned his degree in Electrical Engineering. After graduating from Tulane University, John was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the Air Force.   The Air Force kept John busy for many years, where the service took advantage of his Electrical Engineering genius.  One of the highlights of his military career came when he received a special commendation for designing a critical component for the Air Force’s C-130. Also, as John began his military career he met and in 1967 married Virginia Hopkins, the love of his life.   The military moved John and Virginia to many states during their early lives.  Through this time they became the proud parents of five children.  John and Jenny supported and  guided all their children to  become professionals in their own right.  John retired after serving 10 years in the Air Force, and began the second leg of his profession career working with an Engineering firm that specialized in Top Secret Government contracts.   John spent 20 years working in Huntsville, before ultimately retiring to a lake house in Dandridge, TN. As stated before John was a self-taught enthusiast of many tasks.  One of his many accomplishments was his skill as a master mechanic.   John could fix anything, no matter how old, how broken, or how intricate.  It was one of his most amazing talents. John was a master mechanic, an electrical engineer, a fisherman, a rancher, a farmer, a service man, a fiddler, a pianist, a craftsman, a designer, a baker, a counselor, a bishop, a beloved husband,father, and  grandfather. John’s spiritual growth brought him to the level of Bishop of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  He was committed to his church and always quick to help and comfort his fellow man. John is survived by his wife Virginia Hopkins, five children Patrick Johnson, David Johnson (Elizabeth), Scott Johnson (Nicole), Erin Dean Johnson, and Michael Johnson (Jessica).   John is survived by the following grandchildren, Brenner Johnson, Emmett Johnson, Redden Johnson, Michaela Fowler, Elijah Fowler, Aiden Johnson, Sydney Johnson, Olivia Johnson, Alexa Dooley, and Isabel Johnson.John’s surviving siblings include Walter G Johnson,  Jr (Ann), Adrian Lee Barton (Judy), Clinton Alton Barton, Erin Barton Hernandez (Jorge), and Brian Barton (Peggy).   In John’s final days of his retirement he enjoyed spending time with Virginia in the quiet serene of the lake.  But also during those days he continued to fish, repair things, build things, and minister.   All of those who knew him will miss his candor, his humor, his sage counsel, and his love. There will be a funeral service with Military honors held  for Mr. Johnson on Friday, December 18, 2020 at 2:00pm at Resthaven Memorial Gardens with Bishop Belnap officiating.     

Per CDC guidelines please practice safe social distancing and face masks are highly recommended.

Family and friends may sign the online register and post condolences at : www.resthavenmemorialgardens.com

Services provided by Resthaven Funeral Home | Cemetery | Cremations

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To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Johnney Dean Johnson, please visit our floral store.