Gant Alan Johnson

He is survived by Nancy Jo, his daughters Olivia Clark (Vincent) and Rachel Allemand (Timothy), his brother Gerald Johnson (Debra), his niece Kimberely East (JR), his great niece Ashley and great nephew Tanner, he also has five grandchildren that he loves dearly Maeghane, Amie, Vincent, Jasaiah, and Merit. His fur baby Lucky Johnson, Dachshund. Alan is also survived by a host of cousins and extended family. He is preceded in death by his parents, Glenna E. Reagan and Gant E. Johnson, his brother Donnie Johnson, and a grandson Isaiah Allemand. “Weatherman Johnson’s” legacy will be cherished and carried on through all who knew and loved him.

Alan was born in Austin, Texas and became interested in meteorology at a very young age. That interest guided both his education and career paths.

Alan graduated from the University of Texas in Austin in 1959 with a B.S. Degree in Meteorology. He started his career with the National Weather Service (NWS), then called the U.S. Weather Bureau, as an Intern Meteorologist in San Antonio, Texas in June of 1959. In 1961, he moved to Wichita Falls, Texas as a meteorologist with the NWS.

From 1954 to 1962, Alan was in the National Guard. In 1961, he joined the AirForce and moved to Schenectady, New York for nine months. He was a Staff Sergeant in the weather detachment unit there. He was discharged in 1962 and moved back to Wichita Falls.

In 1962, Alan moved to Lubbock, Texas as an agricultural meteorologist. He was promoted to Forecaster-in-Charge in 1972 when the weather office became one of three regional forecast centers (Weather Service Forecast Office) in Texas. Alan continued in Lubbock until 1981 when he moved to Slidell, Louisiana as a Journeyman Forecaster.

In February, 1982 he was promoted to Forecaster-in-Charge and remained at Slidell until his retirement from the NWS in June 2004.

Alan was not only regarded as an outstanding weather forecaster but also one who was motivated to improve operational forecasting. At both the Lubbock and Slidell weather offices, he was involved with numerous research projects that resulted in decision trees to help forecasters issue more accurate weather forecasts. Some of the more noteworthy projects Alan worked on were forecasting the movement of the dry line, forecasting heavy snow and heavy rainfall, and high wind events in west Texas. These were all done at Lubbock. At Slidell, Alan modified the decision trees developed at Lubbock using different parameters relevant to Louisiana. He also

conducted research into forecasting coastal waters and lake fog.

Alan published his research in the National Weather Association (NWA) Digest, the Bulletin of the American Meteorology Society (AMS), conference preprints of the AMS and in the Southern Region Headquarters Notes and Tech Attachments.

Alan was active in two professional organizations. He became a charter member of the National Weather Association in 1976. He became a member of the American Meteorological Society while in college. In 1986, Alan received the Francis W. Reichelderfer Award from the AMS for “outstanding contributions in developing and applying analysis and forecasting methods

directed toward severe-weather events that are responsible for flood-producing rainfall”. He became a Fellow of the AMS in 1992.

In 2002, Alan was awarded Member of the Year by the NWA for his significant contributions to that organization. He was elected vice-president of the NWA in 2003. In addition, Alan served as a program chair at several national NWA meetings and was a member of numerous committees within the organization.

Shortly after retiring from the NWS, Alan and his wife moved back to his hometown of Austin where he continued his interest in meteorology. For many years he was the on-site forecaster for the annual Jazz Fest held in New Orleans, Louisiana.

In summary, Alan can best be described as a friend and mentor to many as well as a dedicated and enthusiastic professional.

Our appreciation of friendships, near and far, for helping Alan emotionally and spiritually: Lawerence Ragan, Minister Daniel A. Fuertes of Western Hills Church of Christ, Darryl Zavodny and employees of Chick-fil-A, Bee Cave, TX; Matt of Partner’s of Hope; National Weather Service Staff, National Hurricane Center Kenneth Graham; Autumn Winds Skilled

Nursing Home, Embrace Hospice Care; and Dr. Melanie Horn.

If we have left anyone’s name or group from the above list, know that we appreciate your kindness and helpfulness to Alan. Our heart is very heavy with his loss though we are uplifted knowing he is resting comfortably in Our Lord’s Arms.

The family of Mr. Johnson would like to invite everyone to attend the visitation on Saturday, August 28, 2021 from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM at Weed Corley Fish Funeral Homes and Cremation Services, 411 Ranch Road 620 South, Lakeway, TX 78734. A funeral service will occur Saturday, August 28, 2021 from 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM, 411 Ranch Road 620 South,

Lakeway, TX 78734. A committal service will occur Saturday, August 28, 2021 from 12:30 PM to 1:00 PM at Cook-Walden Capital Parks Cemetery, 14501 North Ih-35, Pflugerville, TX 78660.