June 2, 1923 - Oct. 28, 2012

MCKINNEY, Texas — Harold “JR” Johnson, 89, left this earth in McKinney on Sunday, Oct. 28, 2012.

He joined his beloved wife, Gertrude Johnson, who passed Sept. 5, 2012. They were married Aug. 16, 1948, in Fort Worth, Texas. He was born to Marjorie Hazlip and Harold H. Johnson June 2, 1923, in Yankeetown, Ind.

He was a graduate of LaSalle High School in South Bend, Ind. His passion was flying, which he began at the age of 16 at the Niles Regional Airport, then joining Lake Central Airlines in Texas. It was an exciting and interesting career; at one time, he had The Beatles on his plane in Texas. He retired as chief pilot from NIBCO in 1983.

Surviving are daughters Cindy (Michael) Neff of McKinney and Brenda Losee of Elkhart, Ind.; grandsons Brandon and Cory Losee of West Linn, Ore.; two sisters, Nancy and Phyllis; and two brothers, Jerry and Jack.

He was preceded in passing by his mother, Marjorie Divens, stepfather, Louis Divens, and sister, Joanne.

A private family memorial will take place in Fort Worth at a later date. Memorials can be made to Hospice or donor’s favorite foundation.

"