John A. Johnson

Published in the Patriot-News on 10/10/2008

John A. Johnson, 91, of Upper Allen Twp., and formerly of New Cumberland, PA, died Thursday, October 9, 2008 in Messiah Village, Upper Allen Twp.

He was born June 16, 1917 in Port Clinton, OH, to the late Gust and Mary (Tiari) Johnson.

He was a graduate of Miami University, Ohio and earned his Masters from Bucknell University, Lewisburg; a World War II Army Veteran serving in General Patton's 3rd Army, 94th Infantry Division in Europe and played professional baseball with the Detroit Tigers farm system in Texas and North Carolina.

In 1994 John was inducted into the West Shore Chapter of the PA Sports Hall of Fame.

John was retired from the West Shore School District and the former New Cumberland Joint School System. John was a teacher, basketball coach, guidance counselor and assistant principal at New Cumberland High School; became assistant principal at Cedar Cliff High School; and in 1965 became the first principal at Red Land High School.

When the West Shore School District was formed in 1966, he became the Director of Secondary Education and served in that position until his retirement.

John was a 50 year member of St. Paul's Evangelical Lutheran Church, New Cumberland and served as Church Council president, lector, usher, greeter, and Finance Committee Counting Team and Stewardship committee member; 50 plus year member of American Legion Post 143, New Cumberland; honorary life member, past president and Golf & Rules Committee chair of the West Shore Country Club; honorary life member of the New Cumberland Olde Towne Association, where in 1995 he was honored for his service to the community of New Cumberland; past president, New Cumberland Chartier Club; Lowther Manor Lodge 781, F&AM, Camp Hill; Harrisburg Consistory; Zembo Shrine, Harrisburg and its Luncheon Club; Cumberland County Shrine Club; Royal Order of Jesters Court 116; past president, past York Camp Heroes Commander and member in perpetuity of National Sojourners Chapter 76, Harrisburg; member in perpetuity of National Sojourners Penn Mar Chapter 532, Waynesboro; life member, past president, and nominating committee chair for the 94th Division Association; and the former Cumberland County Education Assn. He was also a former Adult Chair of the Patriot News Youth Forum.

He was the widower of Mary (Reigle) Johnson, his beloved wife and his "Wind Beneath My Wings". He is survived by a sister Edna Behrman of Plymouth, MI; 3 nieces, Cathy Clough, Marilyn Crichlow, and Phyllis Stierstorfer; 3 nephews, Brad Behrman, James Johnson and Mark Johnson.

Services will be held at 11 a.m., Monday in his church, with the Rev. Elaine Dent, his pastor and the Rev. Paul Clough, his nephew co-officiating. Burial will be in Rolling Green Cemetery, Lower Allen Twp. Viewing will be from 4-6 p.m., Sunday in Parthemore Funeral Home & Cremation Services, New Cumberland where a Masonic Service will be held at 5:30 p.m.

Memorial contributions may be made to St. Paul's Evangelical Lutheran Church, 524 Bridge Street, New Cumberland, PA 17070; Messiah Village Endowment Fund, 100 Mt. Allen Drive, Mechanicsburg, PA 17055 or Shriners Children's Hospitals, c/o Zembo Shrine, 2801 N. Third Street, Harrisburg, PA 17110.