Nels Edward Johnson
November 23, 1917 ~ July 25, 2009
Nels Edward Johnson, a 47-year resident of McLean, Virginia, who retired in 1985 as director of international affairs of the National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration, died July 25, 2009 at Fairfax Hospital of sepsis following rehabilitation for a broken leg. He was 91.
Mr. Johnson, whose 40-year career with the U.S. Weather Service included a six-year stint in Honolulu, Hawaii as head of the U.S. weather operations in the Pacific. He was born in Newark, New Jersey, the son of Swedish immigrants, Gunhild & Nels Johnson. He earned a bachelor's degree in mathematics & science from New Jersey State Teacher's College & after getting a private pilot's license, became interested in weather patterns. He studied meteorology in an Air Corps cadet program at M.I.T. & became a weather observer at Newark Airport in 1941. Commissioned as a second lieutenant, he spent the war as a military weather officer, meeting his wife, Virginia "Ginny" Duke Johnson at Warner Robins Air Force Base in Georgia, where he was the top weather official. They were married for 65 years. She died in 2008 at age 87.
He was appointed head of Weather Bureau Affairs in the Pacific in 1958 & later served for 11 years heading international affairs for NOAA. Mr. Johnson, who retired from the Air Force reserve as a colonel, was a member of American Legion Post 270 in McLean. He was a horticultural hobbyist & a member of five floral societies, serving as president of the National Chrysanthemum Society in 1992. He was president of the Old Dominion Chrysanthemum Society in 1986.
He is survived by his son, Nelson Edward Johnson; three grandchildren, Owen, Kirsten, & Gretchen; & a great-grandchild, Kayla. His youngest son, Richard Owen Johnson died in 1969 at the age of 18.
Funeral Home:
Money & King Funeral Home
171 W. Maple Ave.
Vienna, VA
US 22180
Mr. Johnson, whose 40-year career with the U.S. Weather Service included a six-year stint in Honolulu, Hawaii as head of the U.S. weather operations in the Pacific. He was born in Newark, New Jersey, the son of Swedish immigrants, Gunhild & Nels Johnson. He earned a bachelor's degree in mathematics & science from New Jersey State Teacher's College & after getting a private pilot's license, became interested in weather patterns. He studied meteorology in an Air Corps cadet program at M.I.T. & became a weather observer at Newark Airport in 1941. Commissioned as a second lieutenant, he spent the war as a military weather officer, meeting his wife, Virginia "Ginny" Duke Johnson at Warner Robins Air Force Base in Georgia, where he was the top weather official. They were married for 65 years. She died in 2008 at age 87.
He was appointed head of Weather Bureau Affairs in the Pacific in 1958 & later served for 11 years heading international affairs for NOAA. Mr. Johnson, who retired from the Air Force reserve as a colonel, was a member of American Legion Post 270 in McLean. He was a horticultural hobbyist & a member of five floral societies, serving as president of the National Chrysanthemum Society in 1992. He was president of the Old Dominion Chrysanthemum Society in 1986.
He is survived by his son, Nelson Edward Johnson; three grandchildren, Owen, Kirsten, & Gretchen; & a great-grandchild, Kayla. His youngest son, Richard Owen Johnson died in 1969 at the age of 18.
Funeral Home:
Money & King Funeral Home
171 W. Maple Ave.
Vienna, VA
US 22180
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Jenny and Nels were special people and will be missed. I’m sorry for your loss. Sincerely Ethel Erickson (sister of Marge Bagge)
Grandpa lived a full and exciting life. He is certainly missed but has been reunited with Ginny and Ricky in Heaven. I will always cherish the summers I had in VA. He taught me how to water and take care of plants. He was a great story teller and had many exciting stories to share from his past. He had a warm heart and that is what I miss the most.
Nels Johnson, Eddie to me; was like a brother not a brother-in-law for the last 50 years. We would visit and he would take us to see things we would not have ever seen while visiting. Eddie and Ginny were such a special couple and so much in love with each other. We were blessed to have them in our lives.
I will cherish all the memories of “Uncle Eddie” and the good and loving times he brought our family. We will miss him.
I will never forget the sound of my grandpa’s voice, strong and mesmerizing…like his stories about my grandma. I wish grandma had met her great grandchild but I’m so happy Kayla shared time with you…she didn’t want to move from your lap that day and knew you were special by your familar face! We will miss you! Xoxo Gg and Kla
Uncle Eddie has always seemed “bigger than life itself to me” he was a very kind, loving and generous man. He was very intelligent and could talk to you about any subject you may want to discuss.He would tell the best stories and made you feel like you were right there on the trip with him and Aunt Ginny, tasting the food, seeing the sights, riding on the transportation that was available in that area, experiencing the culture. When we would go to visit, he would give us the grand tour of Washington and the surrounding areas. He was our special tour guide and made sure we didn’t miss a thing. He and Aunt Ginny would fix wonderful meals. It was a tradition he would always carve the meat and make a great presentation making the meal very speical. He would also treat us to some of their favorite restaurants. Their home was a haven of warmth and of things great and small collected from all over the world. We got to enjoy their beautiful flowers that they both enjoyed growing and putting in shows, and sharing. If we did not go when the flowers were in bloom, they would bring the flowers to us, when they would come to visit us in Jacksonville . Mama and I would be so excited here come “The Johnsons” in their station wagon, that was their signature car. I am still using the shelf Uncle Eddie built in mama’s utlity room. He was a very good carpenter. We always had so much fun and appreciate the fact they made a special effort to visit the family. Uncle Eddie was a treasure to our family and will not be forgotten he will live on in our hearts and memories forever. He and Aunt Ginny were a unique couple, they lived as one, with unconditional love for one another and now they are together once again in God’s Kingdom, Paradise at last.
I was a weather observer at washington national airport with Nels in the late fiftys. I offer my sincerce condoleneces to his family.
Dear Family I want to express my sincere sympathy for the loss of your loved one. You can be assured that comfort and hope are found in the pages of the Bible. Revelations 21:4 speaks of a time when sorrow will be a thing of the past. I hope this message brings you a measure of hope. Please take care of yourselves. Sincerely