Lucian Mitchell Johnson

LUCIAN MITCHELL JOHNSON, Lt. COL., USAF RET., 89, of Valdosta, died Sunday, October 12, 2008, at Langdale Hospice House after a long illness. He was born November 25, 1918 in Wauchula, Hardee County, FL, a son of the late Bethel Curtis and Ruby Ethel Thurmond Johnson. Having lost his mother early in his childhood, he, along with his siblings, were blessed for most of their years by having a most wonderful and loving step-mother, the late Florence Elizabeth Waters Johnson.

In 1920 Johnson's family moved to Manatee County, FL, where he spent most of his growing up days. In 1938 the family moved to Valdosta where his father was employed as General Foreman at Prinsho Veneer Company. Johnson went to Detroit, MI in 1940, living with an uncle and aunt, and worked in a defense plant until he was inducted into the Army in 1943, following two brothers already in military service. He received basic training at Lincoln, NE Army Air Base and later in his training he graduated from U.S. Army Aerial Navigation School in Hondo, TX as Second Lieutenant, Army of The United States. He was then assigned to the 42nd Bomb Squadron, 11th Bomb Group, 7th Air Force, at the U.S. island of Guam and flew missions as crew navigator in B-24 Liberator bombers in the final phases of the World War II "island hopping" campaign in the Pacific Ocean areas. Johnson was stationed on the Japanese island of Okinawa flying bombing missions to mainland Japan when the war ended. He was released from the U.S. Army as a Reserve Officer and was recalled to active duty when the Korean War started. He was then assigned to the 56th Strategic Reconnaissance Squadron at Misawa and Yokoto Air Bases in Japan, flying as crew navigator in 1968 on Maintenancemary duty, in that assignment he was coordinator between the BAF and USAF. Having remained a citizen of Valdosta over the years, he chose Moody AFB as his retirement base, retiring in 1971. Lt. Col. Johnson often stated that two of his proudest military honors were being selected as a Regular Officer in the USAF and being awarded the Master Aerial Navigator rating, both in 1956. Since his retirement he has devoted most of his time, and took much satisfaction and pride, in the upkeep of his home and yard.

He is survived by his beloved wife, Doris Cribbs Goodin Johnson of Valdosta; one son, Leslie Mitchell Johnson, Sr. and his wife; one grandson, Leslie Mitchell, Jr.; one sister; two brothers; one stepson; two stepdaughters; two step-grandsons; six brothers-in-law,
four sisters-in-law and their spouses. Johnson was preceded in death by his first wife of forty-two years.

Family, friends and neighbors are invited to attend Graveside Services with Full Military Honors at 11 am Wednesday, October 15, 2008, at Sunset Hill Cemetery. Memorial gifts may be made to Langdale Hospice House, P.O. Box 1727, Valdosta, GA 31603. Condolences to the family may be conveyed online at www.mclanefuneralservices.com. Carson McLane Funeral Home.


Funeral Home:
Carson McLane Funeral Home
2215 North Patterson Street
Valdosta, GA
US 31602