Franklin D. Johnson, 86

Franklin D. Johnson, 86, of Lancaster passes away Monday, November 23, 2008 at the Essa Flory Hospice of Lancaster, from complications of Alzheimer’s. He was the loving and devoted husband to Janet Johnson who passed away October 23, 2008 and with whom in August 2008 celebrated 65 years of marriage.

He was born in Philadelphia, of the late John David and Anna Johnson (Warfel, nee Witmer), but raised in Dalmatia, along the Susquehanna. After attending F&M he entered the Air Force in 1943. Upon completion of flight school he was assigned as the aircraft commander of a new B-24M heavy bomber. He flew more than 25 missions over the “hump”, supplying Chinese and American forces in China.

He remained in the USAF primarily in the Strategic Air Command. In the latter part of his career he became the nuclear weapons officer for a wing of B-52s at Grand Forks, AFB, ND, before retiring in 1963. During his military career he completed his history degree.

Upon Franklin’s retirement he returned to Lancaster. He owned and operated two companies ranging in scope from threaded rod manufacturing to polymer extrusion operation. He was a member of the Retired Military Officers Assoc. and a past lecturer at Sacred Heart and St. Leo’s catholic churches.

Aside from his loving wife, he is survived by Courtney Johnson and David Johnson, both of Lancaster and Greg Johnson of York.

Franklin Johnson was a patriot, businessman, loving husband, and a most successful father. For all of this more, he will be missed.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Monday, December 1, 2008 at St. Leo the Great Catholic Church 2427 Marietta Ave. Lancaster 17601 at 10 a.m. with Rev. Peter Hahn as celebrant. Family and Friends will be received before the service at the church from 9-10 a.m. Interment will follow Mass at Ft. Indiantown Gap National Cemetery.

To send an online condolence or for more information please visit www.snyderfuneralhome.com