Howard Richard Johnson, 87, an Almond native and brother of a Stevens Point woman, died Thursday, Jan. 28, 2010, in Spokane, Wash.
His body was cremated.
Mr. Johnson was born May 16, 1922, in Almond, a son of the late Julius and Margaret Johnson. He graduated from Almond High School in 1940.
He joined the 32nd Infantry Division of the Wisconsin National Guard later that year. When the Guard was ordered into federal service in August 1940, he was assigned to Camp Beauregard and later to Camp Livingston in Louisiana. The Division was ordered to Australia in March 1942, and he subsequently served in New Guinea and the Philippines. He contracted malaria and suffered recurrences for an extended period of time. He also played the trombone in the 32nd Infantry Division Band.
After exiting the Army, Howard worked in his brother George's store in Waupaca before deciding to re-enlist as a sergeant in the Air Force.
He was married to Betty Brooks.
Survivors include his wife, Spokane, Wash.; one son, Richard, Peoria, Ariz.; one sister, Shirley Johnson, Stevens Point; and two brothers, Clifford, King, and Col. Gordon Johnson, USAF, (ret.) Colorado.
He was also preceded in death by one daughter, Judy; three sisters; and one brother.