Omer Dee Johnson

Omer "Dee" Johnson, faithful husband and beloved father of four, died March 26th, 2021 at his home in Fullerton, California. He was 97 years old. Mr. Johnson was born in Brea, California on July 29th, 1923, but grew up in Somerton, Arizona working on his father's farm as a young man, along with his three younger sisters. Almost immediately after the bombing of Pearl Harbor, Dee wanted to join the Army Air Force, but influenced by five of his close friends, instead enlisted in the United States Navy and was sworn in December 26th, 1941. Posted to the Navel Training Station in San Diego, his natural mechanical and technical abilities steered him to begin training as an Aviation Machinist's Mate. In August of 1942 he furthered his training at the Flight Engineers School, and was finally sent out to the South Pacific front in October of 1943. Shipping out from San Francisco, he sailed to Hawaii before reaching the Tarawa atoll; just days after the Marines had captured the island during the Battle of Tarawa. While stationed on the island he thrived as an aircraft mechanic and kept all manner of war planes in fighting condition. He honorably served until the end of WWII, but not before he was able to marry his teenage sweetheart, Helen Dart, on June 29th, 1945. After the war, Dee and Helen eventually purchased a home in Cypress, California and begin raising a family. In December of 1951 he began his long 35-year career as a research analyst at the newly opened Union Oil Research Center in Brea. Eventually he wouldbecome the foreman of the Chemical Analysis Section with thirteen technicians working under him. A few years after starting with Union Oil, Dee became interested in supplementing the family income by first building cages and brooders for what would become an egg-ranch business. After purchasing several hundred baby chicks, the business would expand into thousands of laying hens and involve the whole family. Hard work and long hours were nothing new to a man who grew up working a farm and later maintaining aircraft during WWII. Dee attributed his success to creative thinking, determination, and a positive can-do attitude.After retirement, he became the family historian researching the family’s genealogy. Through his diligent efforts he traced the family roots back through the Civil and Revolutionary War as well as to the first settlers in America, and on some family lines as far back as 846 in Europe. Considered a mechanical genius by his family and friends, he was also a passionate gardener and painter who delighted in all things aviation. He is survived by his wife, two daughters, two sons, along with many grandkids and great-grandkids. A Military funeral is planned in Riverside, California in May.