Vernon Roy Johnson's Obituary
Vernon Roy "Jim" Johnson, 97, of Lakeview, Michigan, passed away on May 6, 2026 in Lakeview, after a brief illness.
Vern was born May 28, 1928, in Remus, Michigan, to Roy and Hazel (Darling) Johnson. He was the fourth of six children. Vernon attended school in Remus, but dropped out of school prior to graduating. He married Joanna "Joan" Johnson in 1952, in Indiana.
As a teenager, he took flying lessons and got his pilot's license at the age of 16.
Late in WWII, Vern was drafted into the US Army as a private and served as an engineer in the Panama Canal Zone. While in the Army, he got his GED.
After his service in the war, he worked at Fischer Body in Lansing for a short time but decided factory life was not for him. He then went to work at Big Rapids Airport as the manager of that facility. Vern continued flying until he had 200 hours of flight time and then he received his commercial pilot's license. He was offered a job with Capitol Airlines, but turned down the offer.
In 1960, Vern became the manager of the Greenville Airport. He held that position for 23 years. About 1964, he got his instructor rating in a helicopter. He gave flying lessons in both airplanes and helicopters for many years.
Vernon also patrolled pipelines for the gas company from Bay City to Ironwood, Michigan. He flew charter flights for Travis Flying Services for about 4 years. He earned his Airframe and Engine license and received his Inspection Authorization License, which allowed him to inspect planes for their annual license renewals.
In 1983, he moved to Lakeview. Vern remained active at the Lakeview Airport, had many friends, and continued to fly his plane until he was about 96 years of age.
Vern is survived by his two sisters, Alma Esper of Grand Ledge, and Edith Hoffman of Barryton, along with several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Roy and Hazel Johnson, wife, Joan, and their daughter, Linda. Siblings, Carlton and his wife, Thelma, Arvid and his wife, Lilah, and Alberta and her husband, Otto Damer and brother-in-law’s, Richard "Dick" Esper and Ivan "Paul" Hoffman.
A graveside service will be held May 9, 2026 at 11am, at Mount Hope Cemetery in Mecosta, Michigan
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