George Lynn Johnson Sr.

George L. Johnson, Sr. was a Navy Bronze Star recipient and played a pivotal role in bringing the COASTER commuter train to San Diego. However, if you asked him what gave him the most pride, he was quick to tell you about his three children who he said gave him joy by being "such nice people." George's beloved wife, Mary Ann (Harmon) Johnson and those now-grown children, George Jr., Patricia (Tish) and Pamela are saddened to say goodbye to their treasured husband and father who died September 10, 2014 following a stroke.

Born to William and Florence Johnson of Cornwall, New York in 1932, George joined older brother Bill (now deceased) and eventually younger sister Betty joined the Johnson family. He attended high school at Newburgh Free Academy and had fond memories of running to catch the school bus each morning....often missing the bus and then running to his morning classes. Punctuality challenges notwithstanding, George was a stellar student, president of the Slide Rule Club, and salutatorian of his 1950 graduating class. He spent his first year of college at Cornell University studying engineering before deciding to pursue a career in the Navy.

After earning his bachelor’s degree from the United States Naval Academy in 1955, George served his first tour of duty as an engineering officer on the USS Carpenter in Hawaii. During a three-month stint in San Diego, he met the love of his life, Mary Ann Harmon of Coronado. Though they had only a short time together, permanent bonds were formed and they married in 1957. Soon thereafter, while stationed in San Francisco, George and Mary Ann welcomed their son, George Jr.

During George’s three-year pursuit of a masters degree in Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering at Massachusetts Institute of Technology, the Johnsons welcomed a second child, daughter, Tish. A second daughter Pamela, was born while George was stationed at Charleston Shipyard. The growing family would soon be divided, when George received orders to serve, unaccompanied by family, in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. Subsequent orders resulted in George’s time at COMCRUDESPAC in San Diego and in 1968, a year in Danang, Vietnam where he was awarded the Bronze Star Medal. After a distinguished 21-year career in the Navy with two Navy Commendation Medals, George retired as a Naval Commander and went on to receive an MBA from Pepperdine University. Civilian life found George working as general manager for branch offices of two commercial marine engineering and design firms; followed by ten years as purchasing and contracting administrator at a public transit agency that would eventually develop San Diego’s acclaimed COASTER system. The last two years of his career were spent working at the Port of San Diego (San Diego International Airport.)

While proud of his achievements in the Navy and his civilian career, George reveled in the family that he and Mary Ann chose to raise in Coronado. He proudly participated in anniversaries, graduations, weddings and times of celebration. He also was a pillar of strength when challenges faced family members. Mary Ann and his children fondly recall his amazing sense of humor and ability to embrace joy wherever possible. George’s joy was made complete by the addition of his three cherished granddaughters, Margaret, Casey and Mary.

George is survived by sister and brother-in-law Betty and Bill Bevan; wife Mary Ann Johnson; son George Jr. and his daughter Casey Johnson; daughter Tish, son-in-law Ray and their daughter Mary Weamer; and daughter Pamela, son-in-law Mark and their daughter Margaret Thomas. A private family service will be held at Miramar National Cemetery on September 26, 2014. In lieu of flowers, donations in George’s name may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association or the charity of your choice. George Johnson was a gentle man whose eyes sparkled when he spoke of his loved ones and quietly smiled when he took long walks in Coronado. We will miss those twinkling eyes and look towards the day we will be reunited to see them again.