Obituary of Rodney Paul Johnson

Rodney Paul Johnson of Summerville passed away May 23, 2023 

At his home in Summerville, South Carolina. He is survived by his wife

Of 59 years , Delores (Curtis) Johnson, and one niece and one nephew.

 Paul was born April 9, 1934 in Middletown, Ohio to Elbert and Ethyl

Johnson. Paul never liked his first name and always used Paul.

 

As a young person he loved to work on jalopies (cars) or anything mechanical.

He joined the National Guard at a very young age by lying about his age. He 

served 2 years in the military with an Honorable discharge, and went to work

 at Armco Steel in Ohio. With a love to do better Paul moved to California.

There He became involved in drafting and was a Detail Draftsman progressing

To a senior level in design, working for companies such as EECO, Commonwealth

Engineering,Ling Electronics and Aeronca Manufacturing.

 

Having met his future wife who was a Pharmacist, He decided to pursue more

Licenses for Aviation, /FAA Commercial Pilot,MultiEngine, instrument rating,

Seaplane, plus type ratings for Learjet, and Cessna Citation. He also was a 

 Flight Engineer for reciprocating and turbojet powered aircraft 

and  attended school for his Airframe and powerplant Mechanics license.

 

Prior to this He attended Santa Ana Community College Curriculum for Business

Administration, and Gerber Drycleaning Institute. His skills took him to set up a Dry

Cleaning Plant, became involved in A retail Pharmacy as an owner, worked for a

Bank as Aviation Finance Manager, Became Chief pilot for a land developer, flew for

Airlift International and PSA as flight engineer, all the while brokering aircraft.

 

Paul could never sit still and even after He fell and broke his hip He would fool

With His wheelchair thinking of ways it could be improved. As his wife I sorely 

miss him and I know his dog Bella does as she keeps looking for him. We will have

A celebration of life memorial service at a later date.

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