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Robert N. Johnson, beloved husband, father and friend, went home to be with the Lord on Easter morning, April 4,2010. "Bob" was born near Woodland, California, on May 14, 1919. He grew up there on an almond and cattle ranch, graduating from Esparto Union High School in Esparto, California, in 1937. He was a member of the California National Guard 1935-1938, attaining the rank of Corporal. He was foreman of a welding crew for Bethlehem Steel, working on new destroyers in San Francisco, and also supervised construction of floating dry docks for the Navy in Eureka, California. He was inducted into the United States Army Air Corps in September, 1943, and was honorably discharged in March, 1946. He loved flying, logging over 5,000 hours, spent years as a crop duster, and also flew the U.S./Mexico border for the BLM. He was a corporate pilot and heavy equipment supervisor for Universal Constructors in Albuquerque, N.M., and in the 1970's, he managed Coronado Airport, also in Albuquerque. The last few years he lived in Green Valley, Arizona, with his wife, Elizabeth, and worked for FICO, a large producer of pecans, where he was in charge of special projects. He and Elizabeth celebrated their 50 wedding anniversary in 2003. He volunteered at the Animal League of Green Valley and was a member of AOPA and the Aero Club of Arizona. He was involved with Wright Flight, an organization which encourages young people to stay in school and get good grades in order to get flying time with volunteer pilots. He enjoyed visiting with his many friends, and "hangar flying" with fellow pilots. He will be dearly missed. He is survived by his loving wife, Elizabeth; and children, son Donald Johnson and wife, Susan; daughter Sue Ettinger and husband Pete; daughter Sheri Courtney and husband Ken; daughters Mary Ann, Gayle, and Sandy; and son Noel; as well as many grandchildren. A Celebration of Life has been held in Green Valley, Arizona. Interment at the Santa Fe National Cemetery will be conducted on May 21, 2010, at 3:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, friends are welcome to donate to the Animal League of Green Valley, 1600 W. Duval Mine Rd., Green Valley, AZ 85614 or to Wright Flight, 7075 So. Plumer, Suite 14, Tucson, AZ 85756 Attn: Robin Stoddard, or to the charity of their choice.
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