Allen Earlston Johnson

Allen (“Al”) E. Johnson, 93 and distinguished pilot, passed away peacefully on June 15, 2020 at his home in Maryville, Tennessee of natural causes. Al was born on March 4, 1927 in Cumberland, Maryland, grew up in Pennsylvania and studied at Gettysburg College. He served in the Navy from 1945 to 1946 and to pursue his dream of becoming a pilot, the Air Force from 1949 to 1952. Notable events from his military service include being in the first dispatch of troops to land on Japanese soil after V-J day, flying troops, including wounded soldiers, and supplies during the Korean War and hauling atom bombs to an RAF base in England. In 1956, he landed his dream job of commercial pilot when he moved to Dallas, Texas to join Braniff International airline, where he rose to the rank of Captain. As a pilot for Braniff, he also flew charter flights for the Houston Oilers, the New Orleans Saints, a presidential campaign and soldier transport during the Vietnam War. Al was extremely proud of his service as a pilot, reporting that he had 32,000 hours of flying time without an accident. He retired from Braniff in 1992. Al was also an avid water skier, snow skier, wind surfer, scuba diver, tennis player, hunter and crossword puzzle finisher. If Al wanted to do something, he did it and, typically, taught others how to do it too. He instilled his can-do-attitude in his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He will be greatly missed by all who knew him. Al is survived by his daughter, Donna Reid, grandchildren, Jennifer Daly and her husband, Jack, Debbie Reid and Chloe Wood, great-grandchildren, Jacy and Emery Daly, brother, Randy Johnson and numerous nieces, nephews and other family. He is preceded in death by his wife, Mary Lou Johnson, daughter, Stacey Wood, son-in-law, Joe Wood, siblings, Ernie, Dan and Ron Johnson and Grace Chiccarella, and parents, Earl and Melissa Belle Johnson. A memorial service is being planned for a future date. The family asks that those who wish to honor Al’s memory make a donation in his name to The Nature Conservancy at www.nature.org to help protect the natural world that he enjoyed so much. Smith Funeral & Cremation Service, Maryville, 865-983-1000, www.SmithFuneralandCremation.com. To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Allen Earlston Johnson please visit our Sympathy Store.