Norman Ray Johnson

Norman Ray Johnson passed away in his sleep early Thursday morning, April 4, 2024 at the age of 88. Born in Pensacola, FL on July 19, 1935, Norman was a beloved husband, father, and grandfather and will be dearly missed by his family and friends. Preceded in his union with his heavenly Father by his parents Walter Ray Johnson, Nellie Hazel (Dole) Johnson, and brother William Ray Johnson, Norman is survived by his loving wife Margaret Ann (Peggy Grunden) Johnson, brother James McClellan Johnson, sons Steve, Scott, and Shane, along with his five adult grandkids Matthew, Chelsey, Benjamin, Jacob, and Sarah. Norman leaves behind a legacy of being a jack-of-all-trades and even a master of some, a warm and caring heart, a silly wit, a love of all things in aviation and military history, and a weakness for delicious sweets and a good 'ol tasty cheeseburger. In addition to being a proud husband, father, and enormously proud and loving grandfather to his five wonderful grandchildren, Norman amassed an amazing legacy of service to others and a life full of myriad experiences and trades and hobbies. He entered the US Army at the age of 17 and served for 7 years including in the Korean War and deployments in Japan. He left the Army in 1959 after attaining the distinguished position of paratrooper Jump Master and Instructor, along with Pathfinder qualification. Though he soon after fell in love and began his family and career with Southern Bell Telephone Company that would span over 25 years he also became a pilot with commercial, multi-engine, and instrument ratings, and a Certified Sky Diving Instructor. While working and helping to raise three rambunctious boys with his loving wife Peggy, Norman continued to give with acts of service as a Middle School and High School Sunday School Director helping to guide numerous young lives with the good news of Christ. Never one for sitting long unless he was reading his Bible or studying history, Norman built his family's detached garage and expanded primary bedroom and bath, rebuilt their swimming pool destroyed by a hurricane, designed and built a seaplane glider from scratch, was an avid HO scale train enthusiast who spent countless hours constructing lifelike replicas of buildings and homes and depots and mills from cereal box cardboard and balsa wood. Following his retirement from Southern Bell management in 1986, in the following years of "retirement" Norman opened and managed his own business, Aviation Pilot Shop, in Pensacola supplying many if not all Navy/Marine/Coast Guard students and instructors with gear and supplies including (as the innovator he was) knee boards he designed and fabricated in his garage at home. In addition to his business endeavors Norman was an active voluntary firefighter for Brent Fire Department and rose to the rank of captain, all while often being forty years older than the young men entering structure fires and saving lives in vehicle accidents with him. Following years as a firefighter Norman entered into the funeral industry and assisted with many families' end of life needs and services of passed loved ones for many years. A proud yet humble servant to his country and countless people throughout much of his life, Norman touched many lives and will be greatly missed in his passing but his lifelong legacy will live on forever. A graveside service with full military honors at Georgia National Cemetery in Canton, GA will be held on April 11, 2024 at 1pm. Condolences may be expressed to the family online at www.mckoon.com. McKoon Funeral Home & Cremaotry 770-253-4580

Norman Ray Johnson

July 19, 1935 - April 4, 2024