Lt. Colonel Irving R Johnson, USMC Ret. age 92, passed away May 29, 2014 at his home in Gig Harbor, Washington. Irv was born to Melvin and Keturah Johnson in South Pasadena, California, October 17, 1921.

Irv studied architecture at USC and was a veteran of World War II, Korea, and Vietnam. He flew the F4U Corsair and the F9F Panther. He loved flying and remodeling homes. His most spectacular renovation was his home on Coronado Island on San Diego Bay, which was large enough to accommodate his children and their families during holidays and vacations.

Irv is survived by his wife Anne and his three children; Lynn (Ed) Nichter of Anaheim, Karen (Bill) Mannlein of Selma, California, and Craig (Constance) Johnson of Fox Island, Washington. Irv had nine grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren who loved him very much. Irv was predeceased by his first wife Eilene, to whom he was married for 47 years.

The News Tribune, June 20, 2014