Roy C. Johnson

Roy Cooley Johnson, 96, passed from this life to a new adventure on Friday, March 24, 2017. Roy was born in 1920, son of the late Roy K. Johnson and Alma Beu Johnson, and grew up in West Virginia. He had many remarkable experiences including pretzel making at a relative’s shop, modeling for a statue his grandfather Henry was sculpting, and taking a break from high school to help his other grandfather Enoch run his farm (Enoch had been injured in an accident). From an early age, Roy was thrilled with flying and would do odd jobs at local airfields to be near the planes (and catch a ride from time to time). The pretzel making experience came in handy this past Christmas. We obtained a pretzel making kit…Roy showed us how to give them the right twist. They were the best soft pretzels we ever had.

After high school at University High in Morgantown, Roy joined the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) and was trained to be a stone mason as he worked on many parks and picnic areas. With war clouds growing around the world, Roy volunteered for the US Army. He was attached to the 198th Coastal Artillery of the Delaware National Guard with a specialty in anti-aircraft. His unit was training in upstate New York that fateful December in 1941. As Roy tells the story it was his turn to peel potatoes that afternoon when word was flashed that Pearl Harbor had been attacked. That night, in a snow storm, the 198th was on the road to East Hartford, Connecticut to set up their guns around Pratt and Whitney Aircraft for air defense. During his time stationed here, Roy met the true love of his life, Anne Crowley. In this love Roy was unwavering the rest of his days.

The stationing in East Hartford was not long…in the new year of ’42 the 198th was again on the move…to the exotic South Pacific. On the long voyage aboard the African Comet he crossed the equator and became a shellback…then came the February landing on Bora Bora…a classic South Sea Island. Roy was now in Army Intelligence, and some of his actions we’ve learned about only recently (as he saw new publications or documentaries, he felt free to talk about them). After Bora Bora, he found himself in Guadalcanal fighting the Japanese. Roy never spoke much about this and never glorified it. He never spoke badly about the Japanese soldiers either. Many years later in California he had Japanese neighbors with whom the family had a life-long friendship. During the Guadalcanal campaign, Roy was assigned the task of rescuing Allied pilots from behind enemy lines. Working with New Zealand coast watchers and the local natives (with whom he developed a fine friendship), he succeeded in rescuing 13 pilots. For this service Roy was awarded the Air Medal.

After his tour in the Pacific, Roy was returned to the states with a memorable landing in San Francisco Bay, California. Soon Anne had joined him and they returned to Connecticut where they were married in July 1944. Roy would have been sent to Europe, but the war ended. Roy and Anne had three children: Richard, Brian, and Mary Ellen. Education was always a priority and all three obtained college degrees.

Post war found Roy doing engineering work. After various jobs in typewriter companies, he found a job in his dream field…aeronautics. He was among the first employees of the newly founded Kaman helicopter company where he worked on many pioneering projects. After Kaman, Roy worked for United Aircraft and was another pioneer in the rockets for space exploration (the Titan 3C). Roy was a proud member of the Pioneers. Following this, he realized another dream, California. With a good job opportunity, he moved the family out West and was involved in many large aerospace projects from the Lockheed L-1011 transport, to the Northrop B-2 Stealth bomber. All this time he remained close to the family and was tireless in seeing to their needs. He also availed himself of the many recreational opportunities such as skiing, white water rafting, enjoying the beach, and even sky-diving.

After his long career in aero-space and retirement was nearing, Anne expressed her desire to return East to be near the relatives. So the family moved to Cape Cod and resettled in Harwich, Massachusetts. Roy kept busy with his lifelong passion of caring for animals and birds of all kinds. He was always ready to set out seeds and feed for all comers. Among his favorites were the Bob-whites and the wild turkeys. Roy also had the green thumb; his gardens and plantings were exceptional. As he became less and less mobile, he enjoyed working jig-saw puzzles with daughter Mary Ellen and watching videos. He liked documentaries and some old TV shows. Among his favorites was “Leave It to Beaver.”

Anne passed away in 2004. Roy would mention her every day, especially on birthdays and holidays. He would always say he wished she was here. Now they are again together. Both are greatly missed.

A Visitation will be held from 9:30 to 10:30 AM on Thursday, March 30th at Doane, Beal & Ames Funeral Home, 260 Main Street, West Harwich, MA 02671. A Mass of Christian burial will be held at 11:00 AM on Thursday, March 30th at Holy Trinity Church, 246 Rt 28, West Harwich, MA 02671. Burial will follow at 1:45 PM at the Massachusetts National Cemetery in Bourne.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Emerald Hollow Farm Therapeutic Riding Center, 235 Run Hill Road, Brewster, MA 02631.

For online condolences, please visit doanebealames.com