JOHNSON, Dean A. L. 1929 - 2013
JOHNSON, COLESON, HOEGREN, RICHARDS
Posted By: Joey Stark
Date: 10/20/2013 at 21:26:18
"The Fairfield Ledger"
Monday, October 14, 2013
Page 8Dean A. L. JOHNSON
Dean A. L. JOHNSON, born on 3-14-29 in Iowa City passed away peacefully on Saturday, Oct. 12, 2013, at Ridgewood Care Facility in Ottumwa, Iowa.
Visitation will be held at Behner Funeral Home, Fairfield 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 15, 2013. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. at the First United Methodist Church, Fairfield on Wednesday, Oct. 16, 2013 with burial following at Bethesda Cemetery with military rites.
Memorials may be made to the United Methodist Church, Tarnished Brass Band (Van Buren County) or the Fairfield Concert Association. Cards and memorials may be sent to 906 E. Jefferson Ave., Fairfield, IA 52556.
Dean was the son of Arthur and Ellen COLESON JOHNSON. He graduated from Fairfield High School in 1946 and then from Parsons College in 1958 with a B.A. in Physical Education. He joined Company D of the State Guard in 1946 and was recruited by Dillon Lowell to join the reorganized band in April 1947. Dean had been playing the tuba since 1942, while in high school. He retired from the National Guard as a Master Sgt. after 39 years of service.
Dean taught at Pence school for two years and also worked for the Soil Conservation Service, Gobble Clothiers, Bowes Sealfast and then retired after 28 years as a State Farm Agent.
Dean had been a member of the 34th Army Band, Iowa National Guard, Wapello Chiefs Barbershop Group, Fairfield Community Summer Band, Tarnished Brass Band in Van Buren County, Lions Club International, Golf Club Makers Assoc., Weakenders Camping Club, Walton Golf and County Club, Iowa Military Veteran's Band, Fairfield Rifle Club, Fairfield City Council and a lifetime member of the NRA. One of his favorite groups was the Howard Johnson Coffee Club.
He had been a member of the United Methodist Church for more than 60 years and frequently sang in the choir and volunteered for usher duty and the Methodist Men. He was a volunteer with Troop 64 Boy Scouts and received the "Silver Beaver "award (sic) and "Wood Badge." He was named "Lion of the Year" and also received the "Warren Coleman Award "and (sic) was presented the "Melvin Jones Fellow" award by Lions International Foundation. He was named "Man of the Year" twice at the Walton Golf Club where he spent many volunteer hours. He also received the "Mr. Trojan Award" in 1984 for volunteer service with the FHS track and field team.
He had a passion for music, mainly Big Band and military marching music. Dean had been a member of Tubaist Universal Brotherhood Assoc. which played Christmas concerts around the country including in Calif., Mo., Minn and Ill. He had an extensive collection of various tuba figurines and instruments. He also collected belt buckles from around the world.
Until recently, Dean had a small golf club repair shop in his home. He spent countless hours collecting "lost" golf balls off local courses which he cleaned, sorted and sold or donated. One of his most treasured golf moments was when he got a "Hole in One" at the Walton Golf Club on May 21, 2003.
Dean is survived by his wife Beatrice (HOEGREN) JOHNSON whom he married on 10-26-1952 in Phillips, Neb. They have two children, Steven JOHNSON (Rosanne) of Fairfield, Iowa and Sandra RICHARDS (Dave) of Seoul, Korea. He is also survived by five grandchildren: David RICHARDS (Jaimie) San Antonio, Texas, Eric RICHARDS (Jessica) Olympia, Wash., Megan JOHNSON of Plymouth, Minn., Lt. Stacey JOHNSON of San Antonio and Katie JOHNSON of Mankato, Minn. He also leaves behind three great-grandchildren, Rhys and Nathan RICHARDS of San Antonio and Wyatt RICHARDS of Olympia, Wash.
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*Transcribed for genealogy purposes; I have no relation to the person(s) mentioned.
Jefferson Obituaries maintained by Joey Stark.
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