Paul Snider Johnson, CDR USN January 18, 2019 passed away, on Friday, January 18, 2019, at the age of 97. He was born on January 1, 1922, in Flora, Indiana, the first born to the late Carl C. Johnson and Ina E. Johnson. He is survived by his beloved wife of 73 years, Helen “Laney” C. Johnson and two brothers Charles Johnson (Maureen) and Robert Johnson (Sandra) of Flora, IN.
Dear father of Scott Johnson (Alice) of Ho-Ho-Kus, NJ, Randall Johnson (Kim) of Chesterfield, Janet Johnson of Gardinier, WA and Gary Johnson (Kwan) of Rochester Hills, MI. Cherished grandfather to Sarah Johnson of Washington, DC, Brett Johnson (Erin) of Lynden, WA, and Jessica Connors (Kevin) of Chicago. Great grandfather to Alex, Joelle, and Evie of Lynden, WA.
Preceded in death by his siblings Emma Jane Shriver, Harold Johnson, and Carol Brewster. Paul grew up on a farm in Indiana where a strong work ethic was developed during early morning pre-sunrise chores of milking cows that had to be completed before going to school. He was an excellent craftsman with an insatiable desire to learn about how to problem solve and repair anything mechanical.
His love for aviation began at a very young age as he was captivated by the Stearman P-17 biplane “crop dusters” seen around Indiana farms. Paul enlisted in the US Navy in 1942 as part of the Naval Aviation V-5 Cadet Program. While stationed in Pensacola, he met the love of his life, Laney Constantine, and married her in 1945 one year after they met.
In February of 1960 while stationed at the Naval Missile Center in PT. Mugu, CA, he test flew the No. 5 F4H-1 Phantom II jet fighter reaching the maximum speed of March 2.
4 Paul quickly moved up the Navy hierarchy reaching the rank of Commander and by 1968 he had flown 25 different high-performance aircraft over 6,000 pilot hours. After retiring from the Navy in 1970, he worked in St. Louis for McDonnell Douglas and was responsible for the support of the F-18 Hornet fighter aircraft throughout the development and test phase retiring in 1982. Possessing compassion for helping the less fortunate, Paul tirelessly built homes for Habitat for Humanity near his retirement home in Naples, FL that spanned 5 years.
He returned back to St. Louis in February 2012 to be closer to family in the Midwest. One of his fondest memories was his participation on March 25, 2015, Greater St. Louis Honor Flight and a visit to the World War II Memorial in Washington, DC. On behalf of Paul’s family, we would like to thank the many compassionate caregivers at Brookdale West County and Crossroads Hospice Care.
Services: A Memorial Service will be conducted at St. Peter’s Episcopal Church in Ladue, 110 N. Warson Rd. at Ladue Rd. , on Monday, February 4, 2019, at 10:30 a.m. A reception will follow the service.
Memorials may be made to; Habitat for Humanity of Collier County, 11145 Tamiami Trail E. Naples, FL 34113 or can be made online at www.
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