John Johnson
Apr 11, 1953 -
Apr 13, 2021
Longtime Mat-Su Borough resident and EMS responder John Thomas Johnson, age 68, passed away peacefully at home in Big Lake, Alaska, on April 13, 2021, after a brave yearlong battle with cancer. A Celebration of Life Service will be held on May 8, 2021, at 2 p.m., at the Big Lake Lions Club, 2942 S. Lions Ct. in Big Lake.
John, known by friends throughout Alaska as JJ, was born on April 11, 1953, in Fort Bragg, N.C., to Thomas E. Johnson and Janet L. (Madden) Johnson. As a child he lived in Venezuela, Spain, and states including Kansas, Oklahoma, and Colorado. He moved to Anchorage, Alaska, at age 16, and graduated from Dimond High School in 1971. John joined the Air Force and served 2 1/2 years in police work at Elmendorf Air Force Base until honorably discharged. John then began his lifelong career as an EMT/firefighter, alongside several other careers like railroading in the '70s and driving school buses in the '80s. He was a drilling rig safety officer and medic both in Alaska and overseas in the '90s. From 2010 until retirement, John worked in security on the North Slope. Through these years he resided in Willow, Wasilla and Big Lake.
John never fully retired from EMS. He worked with many ambulance services in Alaska as an EMT I-III. He was an engineer with several fire departments in the state including, Adak, Bristol Bay, Central (Wasilla), Willow and most recently the Houston Volunteer Fire Department. He was also a medic with organizations such as Alaska Professional Volunteers. John helped put out hundreds of house and wildland fires, and the number of lives he saved over the years is uncountable.
John was well-known throughout his field as a mentor and teacher. His love for his community was felt by all who knew him. He made sure everyone was safe and well cared for, and always lent a helping hand to anyone in need. He answered pager callouts day and night, 365 days a year. In 2020, John received the Alaska Council on Emergency Medical Services Special Award for his 43 years of continuous service throughout the state. He continued to respond to emergencies until he could physically no longer do so.
John's many friends and colleagues will greatly miss his humor and generosity. He kept us laughing with his outrageous stories and boundless teasing. Outside of saving lives and putting out fires, John enjoyed hunting, fishing, snowmachining, country and western and Celtic music, and bonfires with his family and friends. He also enjoyed moderating several online anti-crime and animal rescue pages.
John leaves his beloved wife of 15 years, Corinne E. Johnson; son, Robert Johnson (Michelle); son, Thomas Johnson; stepdaughter, Adrienne Smyth (Mallory); stepdaughter, Allison Eby (Kraig); grandchildren, Ariella and Clark; and sisters, Karen Ashley (Mike), Carol Williams (Frank) and Anne Straka (Steve).
John requested to be cremated. In lieu of flowers, John's family would appreciate your donations to Mobile Medics International, or Doctors Without Borders.
