Dean A.L. Johnson

Dean A.L. Johnson, born on 3-14-29 in Iowa City, Iowa passed away peacefully on Oct. 12, 2013, at Ridgewood Care Facility, Ottumwa Iowa.

Visitation will be held at Behner Funeral Home, Fairfield 5:00 to 7:00 pm on Tuesday, Oct. 15,2013. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 am at the First United Methodist Church, Fairfield on Wednesday, Oct. 16, 2013 with burial following at the Bethesda cemetery with military rites.

Memorials may be made to the United Methodist Church, Tarnished Brass Band (Van Buren County) or the Fairfield Concert Association. Cards and memorials may be sent to 906 E Jefferson, Fairfield, IA 52556.

Dean was the son of Arthur and Ellen Coleson Johnson. He graduated from Fairfield High School in 1946 and then from Parsons College in 1958 with a B.A. in Physical Education. He joined Company D of the State Guard in 1946 and was recruited by Dillon Lowell to join the reorganized band in April 1947. Dean had been playing the tuba since 1942, while in high school. He retired from the National Guard as a Master Sgt. after 39 years of service.

Dean taught at Pence school for two years and also worked for the Soil Conservation Service, Gobble Clothiers, Bowes Sealfast and then retired after 28 years as a State Farm Agent.

Dean had been a member of the 34th Army Band, Iowa National Guard, Wapello Chiefs Barbershop Group, Fairfield Community Summer Band, Tarnished Brass Band in Van Buren County, Lions Club International, Golf Club makers Assoc., Weakenders Camping Club, Walton Golf and Country Club, Iowa Military Veteran's Band, Fairfield Rifle Club, Fairfield City Council and a lifetime member of the NRA. One of his favorite groups was the Howard Johnson Coffee Club.

He had been a member of the United Methodist Church for over 60 years and frequently sang in the choir and volunteered for usher duty and the Methodist Men. He was a volunteer with Troop 64 Boy Scouts and received the "Silver Beaver "award and "Wood Badge". He was named "Lion of the Year" and also received the "Warren Coleman Award "and was presented the "Melvin Jones Fellow" award by Lions International Foundation. He was named "Man of the Year" twice at the Walton Golf Club where he spent many volunteer hours. He also received the "Mr. Trojan Award" in 1984 for volunteer service with the FHS track and field team.

He had a passion for music, mainly Big Band and Military Marching music. Dean had been a member of Tubaist Universal Brotherhood Assoc. which played Christmas concerts around the country including CA., MO., MN.and IL. He had an extensive collection of various Tuba figurines and instruments. He also collected belt buckles from all over the world.

Until recently, Dean had a small golf club repair and shop in his home. He spent endless hours collecting "lost" golf balls off local courses which he cleaned, sorted and sold or donated. One of his most treasured golf moments was when he got a "Hole in One" at the Walton Golf Club on May 21, 2003.

Dean is survived by his wife Beatrice (Hoegren) Johnson whom he married on 10-26-1952 in Phillips, Nebraska. They have two children, Steven Johnson(Rosanne) (Fairfield, IA) and Sandra Richards(Dave), (Seoul, Korea). He is also survived by five grandchildren; David Richards (Jaimie) San Antonio, TX., Eric Richards (Jessica) Olympia, WA., Megan Johnson (Plymouth, MN), Lt. Stacey Johnson (San Antonio, TX) and Katie Johnson (Mankato, MN). He also leaves behind three great grandchildren; Rhys and Nathan Richards (San Antonio, TX) and Wyatt Richards (Olympia, WA).