H. Johnson

Glenn Johnson, beloved father, father-in-law, grandfather, brother and friend, passed from this world on Saturday, October 10, 2009 at home at the age of 91 years young. In the words of a close friend, é��é��é��the world has lost a great American hero.é��é��é�� Glenn was born in Selma, lived all of his life in Selma and near Camden, except for brief stints in South and West Texas, where he joined his father in a business venture after WWII. There, he later opened his own business, Johnsoné��é��é��s Sales and Service. After the é��é��é��big freezeé��é��é�� of the early fifties in the Rio Grande Valley, Glenn worked along side men twice his size to bring in wildcats in the oil industry. Later returning to Alabama, he saved enough money to start other businesses, including a variety of grocery stores, restaurants, lounges, laundries, and eventually, a thriving carpet and flooring enterprise. A patriot, who loved his country, Glenn volunteered his draft and served with distinction in the United States Army Air Force from 1942-1945 as an aerial engineer with the 438th Troop Carrier Group, 88th Squadron. During this period, he flew C-47é��é��é��s responsible for towing gliders, carrying paratroopers, delivering supplies and providing reinforcements in and out of enemy lines. He flew each mission in his plane, called the é��é��é��Margaret,é��é��é�� so named for his wife, including every major battle of WWII, chief among them, the memorable D-Day. In all, Glenn flew 138 combat missions and his plane was only one of two original 28 planes to return in operable condition. His unit received a Presidential Unit Citation and Glenn was highly decorated for his heroism, something he demurred from freely discussing in the early years. Glenn loved the Fourth of July and in the tradition of his grandfather, who began the Johnson family reunions, he looked forward to celebrating his countryé��é��é��s independence by hosting a bar-b-que for family and friends each year. When he became unable to hold the celebrations at his home, the reunion was taken over by a brother, and then a cousin, although as the oldest Johnson, Glenn always donated generously and assumed the role of official greeter and opened the annual festivities. His last Fourth of July in that happiest of roles to which he so looked forward, took place in 2008--the same year he turned 90 years old. It was his fondest wish that the tradition continue every July 4th. Glenn loved his family, God and his Country, and Independence Day was just another way he showed it. Glenn is survived by his daughter, Jo-Ann Johnson Costa and her husband, Steve Costa of Pagosa Springs, Colorado, and their son, Glenné��é��é��s grandson, Sean E. McNeill, of Santa Monica, California. Also surviving, are his cherished brothers, Ellis Johnson (wife Violet é��é��é�" Glenné��é��é��s good buddy), Frank é��é��é��Papé��é��é�� Johnson (wife Mary), James Johnson--all of Selma--and Furniss Johnson (wife Tommie) of Vero Beach, Florida. His daughter Jeanie J. Kirk of Selma and two sons, Glenn Johnson, Jr. and Thad Headley, his grandchildren Kimberly K. Cogle and Douglas E. Kirk and their children, also survive Glenn. While they lived, Glenn was a generous and dutiful son to his parents and a doting big brother to his deceased sisters, Ruth and Louise. Our comfort is in knowing that he is once again reunited with those who passed before and at long last, Glenn has seen the countenance of his beloved Savior. In lieu of flowers, Glenn would be very pleased if donations were made to his church, Overlook Hills Church of God, in care of Pastor Preston Johnson, P.O. Box 193, Selma, Alabama 36701. The family will receive friends at Lawrence Brown-Service Funeral Home on Wednesday evening October 14, 2009 from 6-8 p.m. Graveside services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday October 15, 2009 at New Live Oak Cemetery with Reverend Preston Johnson officiating and Lawrence Brown-Service Funeral Home directing.