VERNEL E. JOHNSON 1919-2009

Vern Johnson, of Tucson and formerly of Green Valley, passed away on Oct. 20, 2009, after a long illness.

Vern was a wonderful husband, father, grandfather and loyal friend to countless people throughout the world. He is survived by his oldest son Mark Johnson of Kilchberg, Switzerland; his youngest son Michael Johnson and wife Laurie of Tucson; daughter Susan Johnson of Sahuarita; and his grandson Jake, whom he loved with all his heart. He is also survived by his brother Marvin Johnson and wife Mary Ann of Rochester, Minn.; sister Myrette Hornicke of Bloomington, Minn. and sister Edryce Johnson of Fresno, Calif.

He was preceded in death by his wife of 53 years Mary Louise Burks Johnson; his middle son William Douglas Johnson; his father Oscar Johnson; his mother Erna Johnson; and his oldest brother Loren Johnson.

Vern was an extraordinary man who was the perfect embodiment of the “Greatest Generation.” Born and raised on a farm in central Minnesota, Vern was the first in his family to graduate from college and paved the way for all of his siblings to attend and graduate from universities. Vern graduated from Augsburg College in Minneapolis, Minn. in 1942.

After college, he was drafted into the Army Air Corps and was a B-24 pilot with the 464th Bombardment Group based initially in Gioia, Italy and then finally in Pantanella, Italy. Vern fulfilled his service requirement and was discharged from the Army Air Corps after flying 50 successful missions over Central and Eastern Europe.

Upon returning home, Vern was hired as a pilot by United Airlines, where he met the love of his life, Mary Lou Burks, who was a stewardess with United. Vern and Mary Lou were married in 1947, and over the next 15 years had four children.

After leaving United Airlines, Vern began a distinguished and productive career in private industry. Vern worked the bulk of his career for Beloit Corp., based in Beloit, Wis. While working for Beloit Corp., Vern traveled the world for the company in pursuit of various business opportunities. During his career, Vern headed up plant operations in Pinerolo, Italy; was President of Beloit Corp.’s European operation in Zurich, Switzerland; was President of Beloit Sorel in Sorel, Quebec, Canada; and was President of the company’s water purification operations in Birmingham, Ala.

Vern retired from Beloit Corp. in 1974 and moved his family to Green Valley. Not interested in retiring, Vern purchased a small business which he later sold to pursue other interests, including his passion for playing golf. Vern was an accomplished golfer who enjoyed both leisurely rounds and full blown competition. Ultimately, Vern became an extremely successful real estate broker and salesman and retired in 2001.

Vern lived a full and active life, including having the privilege of going on safari in Africa and mountain climbing in Switzerland. However, if you asked him, his greatest and most memorable travel experience was the day that he spent with his wife Mary Lou at the Taj Mahal while traveling in India.

Vern provided his family with a wonderful opportunity to travel and see the world and live a life that not many have an opportunity to experience. The family’s travels afforded them the opportunity to meet an extraordinary group of people that made a great impact on all their lives.

Vern Johnson’s greatest asset was his engaging personality, his kind spirit and his ability to make friends and treat everyone as an equal. He leaves behind not only a family that misses him and loves him very much, but countless friends throughout the world that have come to love and respect a man that they not only called a great friend, but also a mentor and father figure as well.

Vern will be missed greatly by his family and friends and all who knew him. A private graveside ceremony was held for the family at the Green Valley Mortuary on Tuesday, Oct. 27, where Vern was laid to rest with his wife Mary Lou.

A Memorial Service to celebrate Vern’s life will be held on Jan. 4, 2010, at the Green Valley American Legion at 1 p.m. All of Vem’s family and friends are welcome to attend and share memories of his extraordinary life.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in Vern’s name to TMC Hospice or the University of Arizona Cancer Center.