Remembering Allen Johnson

E. Allen Johnson, retired flight instructor at the Odegard School of Aerospace Sciences, died March 14, 2013, in  Altru Hospital, Grand Forks.  He was 67.

E. Allen Johnson was born on May 20, 1945 in Grafton, to Elmer and Esther Johnson. He graduated from Devils Lake High School in 1963. Allen received his commercial pilot certificate at Wakefield Flight Service in Devils Lake and graduated from UND in 1969 with a bachelor’s degree in economics and political science.

He served in the U.S. Navy and received his commission at the Naval Aviation Command at NAS Pensacola in 1969. After being honorably discharged from the Navy he earned his Certified Flight Instructor certificate and was also a Designated Pilot Examiner for the Federal Aviation Administration. After 10 years as a corporate pilot for Northern Cable TV and Kloster Dakota Franchising, he became a flight instructor and lecturer for UND Aerospace. Allen retired in 2011.

He was a member of Sharon Lutheran for 30 years, serving as an usher and board member.

Allen is survived by a brother, Karmen (Lisa) Johnson, Fargo; sisters, Colleen (Don), LaBerge , Grafton, Pat (Mack) Susag, Harvey, ND, Jan Toring, Edwardsville IL, and Rhonda (Gary) Ferestad Leesburg, FL.; many nieces, nephews, dear friends and his faithful dog Bella. He was preceded in death by parents Elmer and Esther; sisters, Susan, Delores Springstad, Marilyn Weyer.

In lieu of flowers, he has requested memorials be made to the Sunshine Memorial Foundation for Grand Forks Sunshine Hospitality Home, 4200 James Ray Drive, Grand Forks, ND 58202.