Neal Leroy Johnson

husband, father, Pappa, friend and decorated Veteran, Neal Johnson was welcomed by the Lord on November 5, 2020. He was born, November 11, 1949 in Colorado Springs, CO to Clifford and the late Verda Johnson.

After graduating from Fountain High School in Fountain, CO, Neal attended Colorado State University (CSU) earning a bachelor’s degree in Business and Computer Sciences. Neal was a member of the CSU Air Force ROTC program and started his highly decorated 24-year Air Force career as a commissioned Second Lieutenant.

Neal’s first assignment in the Air Force was to Wright Patterson Air Force Base in Dayton, OH as a Computer Operations Officer. Upon earning his master’s of Business Administration Degree from University of Dayton (Ohio), he was assigned as a Computer System Analyst and as Branch Chief, supporting base and command engineering and medical systems.

Neal was then stationed to Ramstein Air Force Base in Kaiserslautern, Germany where he was assigned to the 7102nd Computer Services Squadron as a Systems Analyst, Data Base Manager and Chief of the Worldwide Military Command and Control System responsible for supporting both U.S. and North Atlantic Treaty Organization activities.

Neal’s next assignment was in Norfolk, VA as a Computer Systems Requirements Analyst with the Command, Control, Communications and Information Systems Office, Navy U.S. Commander-in-Chief, Atlantic Command.

Neal continued his Air Force career back in his home state of Colorado as a Certification Officer for Atmospheric and Space Warning Systems and later, Chief of the Certification Division at the System Integration Office of Air Force Space Command at Peterson Air Force Base in Colorado Springs, CO. His responsibilities included computer hardware and software changes ensuring that the National Command Authority received timely and reliable tactical warning data.

Neal was then assigned as Commander, 1001st Space Systems Squadron at Lowry Air Force Base in Aurora, CO, responsible for satellite missile warning system software support.

Neal was later transferred to Buckley Air National Guard Base in Aurora, CO and assigned as Commander, Systems and Logistics Flight, Space Warning Squadron where his Squadron was instrumental, and recognized for their outstanding performance, in updating ground station software to detect tactile missiles launched by Iraq during Desert Storm.

Neal retired from the Air Force as a Lieutenant Colonel after 24 years of honorable and proud service to his country, which he loved, wearing the Senior Space Badge, Basic Maintenance Badge and Communications Electronics Badge. Neal was recognized for outstanding service with military decorations including the Defense Meritorious Service Medal with one Oak Leaf Cluster, Air Force Meritorious Service Medal with two Oak Leaf Clusters and the Air Force Commendation Medal.

Neal transitioned into the civilian world and completed his successful professional career with TRW/Northrop Grumman.

Following Neal’s second retirement, he and his wife Ellie relocated to Arizona where he filled his time doing the things he loved in life - playing golf, softball and playing pickleball, which led to his official certification as a pickleball referee. In addition, taking part in his greatest joy of spending time with his family and making lifelong friends in their desert community.

Neal was a proud American and lived his life with duty and honor. He is survived by his wife of 50 years, Ellie; his daughters, of whom he was so very proud, Stacy (Jay) and Caren (Paul); and his loving grandchildren, Hannah, Hayden and Harper Hedrick and Amelia Corliss. He is also survived by his father, Clifford; brothers Merle and Lars (Susie) and sister Twyla (Jim) Vimont; and his many nieces and nephews.

A Funeral Service to Celebrate and honor Neal will be held on Tuesday, November 10, 2020 at 10:00 AM at Surprise Funeral Care, 16063 W. Bell Rd., in Surprise, Arizona.

If you wish to recognize Neal and his family, we ask that you please consider donating to the Alzheimer’s Association (alz.org) in memory of his late mother Verda Johnson, or a charity of your choice.

To sign the guestbook online, to share memories, and to send condolences and well-wishes to the family, please visit, www.surprisefuneralcare.com.