Col Ralph A. Johnson, Usaf (Ret)

Colonel Ralph Arthur Johnson, USAF (Ret), 92, died on Tuesday, December 6, 2011.

Mr. Johnson was born on June 16, 1919 in Pikeville, Kentucky to the late John Martin Johnson and Cora Roberts Johnson. Ralph was the youngest of six boys. His brothers, Russell, Walter, Jack, Buford and Robert, also preceded him in death. Ralph attended Pikeville High School and Pikeville College, majoring in Education. In 1941, Ralph joined the Army Air Corps and after training, was a P-47 Fighter Pilot in the European Theater, World War II until late 1943. During the ensuing years he served as Commander of the 61st and 62nd fighter Squadrons, 56th Fighter Group. During 1950 to 1956, Ralph was stationed in Wisconsin, Japan and Korea. In 1956 to 1963, he was Director of Procurement at Olmstead AFB, Pennsylvania and was a Procurement Officer at HQ AFLC, Dayton, Ohio. From 1963 to 1966, Colonel Johnson was Commander, HQ Air Procurement Region at Chateauroux France. During 1966 to 1970, he was Director of Procurement and Production, Robins Air Force Base, Georgia. Prior to his retirement in 1970, he served as Executive Assistant to the Commander, WRAMA. While serving thirty years in the Air Force, Ralph received many awards and decorations. Among them are the Purple Heart, the Distinguished Flying Cross with one Oak Leaf Cluster, the Air Medal with three Oak Leaf Clusters and the Air Force Commendation Medal. From 1970 to 1984, Ralph was Executive Vice President of the Warner Robins Chamber of Commerce. During 1985 to 1988, Ralph was Mayor of Warner Robins. Besides belonging to the First United Methodist Church of Warner Robins, he served on the Georgia Council on Moral and Civic Concerns. He also was a member of numerous civic, social and cultural organizations including the Air Force Association, ROA, the 8th Air Force Historical Society, Dedaelians, MOWW, Warner Robins Area Chamber of Commerce, Warner Robins Little Theater, Warner Robins Community Concert Association and the Rotary Club. He was a Mason. Ralph was also a strong supporter of Cherished Children, GANSU, Inc., Rainbow House, Museum of Aviation, Robins Air Force Base, Middle Georgia Technical College, Macon State College and the Volunteer Medical Clinic of Houston County.

Survivors are his wife, Mary Burt Johnson, Centerville; sons, John Martin Johnson (Nancy), Harvest, Alabama; Joseph W. Johnson, Warner Robins; step children, Caroline Jernigan, Duluth; Clifford H. Jernigan, James P. Jernigan, III (Stephanie), all of Warner Robins; Constance Jernigan (Christian) Faircloth, Buford; grandchildren, John Martin (Mellisa) Johnson, III, Captain Scott (Nikki) Johnson, Kristin (Chris) Turri; step grandchildren, Christopher Jernigan, Josh Stricklen, Connor, Jonathan, and Camryn Jernigan, and one great grandchild, Courtney Johnson; and several nieces, nephews, and cousins.

The family will receive friends on Thursday evening, December 8, from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at McCullough Funeral Home. A Memorial Service celebrating Mr. Johnson's life will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, December 9, 2011 at First United Methodist Church of Warner Robins with Dr. Jimmy Asbell and Reverend Missy Blumenthal officiating. Flowers will be accepted or the family respectfully suggests memorial donations to First United Methodist Church, 205 North Davis Drive, Warner Robins, Georgia 31093, or to the Rainbow House, P.O. Box 1239, Warner Robins, Georgia 31099. The family expresses heartfelt thanks to Hospice Care Options and Visiting Angels caregivers, Sharon, Anita, Gloria, Chiquita, Erica and others too numerous to mention.


Funeral Home:
McCullough Funeral Home
417 S. Houston Lake Rd.
Warner Robins, GA
US 31088