Roger Dean Johnson

Roger Dean Johnson passed away peacefully on November 4, 2024 after a valiant battle with kidney cancer. Roger was born on August 9, 1945 in Oconomowoc, WI, to Elmer and Dolores (nee Braatz) Johnson. Roger was a loving husband to Lynette “Lyn” (nee Schmidt) for 51 years. He was a beloved father to Shayne (Erin Hoffman), Tasha (Ed) Miltner and Kyle (Christie) and grandfather to Brynn, Brady, Sam and Elise. Roger had a servant’s heart and will be remembered by all he knew as a man of faith, honesty and care for others.

Roger attended Oconomowoc High School and graduated from Wisconsin State University - Stevens Point in 1967 with a Bachelor's Degree in Biology. He went on to graduate from the Naval Aviation Officer Candidate School at Pensacola, Florida. He received a commission as Ensign in the U.S. Navy and completed preflight, survival, and navigation schools for Naval flight officers. He was then selected to fly as a Radar Intercept Officer in the F-4 Phantom fighter jet. In 1969, he was the Navigation Division Officer and an Officer Of The Deck on the bridge of the attack aircraft carrier, USS Oriskany, on Yankee Station off the coast of Vietnam. During that combat deployment, he was promoted to Lieutenant Junior Grade and was one of several junior officers on the ship who were qualified as Officer Of The Deck - Underway. In that capacity, he controlled the movements of the ship, set the ship up for aircraft launch and recovery in the Captain's absence, and was one of several officers on the ship selected by the Captain to have the Conn during underway replenishments. He was also the Officer Of The Deck for general quarters as well as when entering and leaving port (Special Sea & Anchor Detail). Upon completion of the USS Oriskany's 1969 deployment to Vietnam, he opted to leave the service rather than return to a flying status in the F-4 Phantom.

Roger worked 32 years in the Milwaukee Health Department's food inspection program first as a District Food Inspector and later as the department's Food Service Equipment Specialist and Plan Examiner. He then retired to operate his 180 year old family farm in the Town of Ashippun. He enjoyed researching and recording local history and was chairman of the Town of Ashippun History Committee. He enjoyed writing. Besides writing his family history, he co-authored books on his township history, his church's history and a compilation of the men killed or taken as prisoners of war while serving on or flying off the aircraft carrier, USS Oriskany. He also wrote about his military experiences in a short story entitled From Farm To Fighters And Beyond.

He enjoyed holding leadership roles in his church and organized many church fundraisers and community events. One of Roger’s proudest accomplishments was the charity organization he organized called A Child’s Smile that provides a Christmas for the kids of local families in need. For 13 years Roger devoted countless hours towards raising and distributing funds for kids. Even hours before his death, Roger was most concerned with ensuring A Child’s Smile charity work would continue on with trusted volunteers. He received the Governor’s Award for Public Service in 2024. He also became an expert sapper, tapping trees, making and selling maple syrup to raise money for the church. He was a member of the Oconomowoc chapters of the VFW, American Legion, and Vietnam Veterans Of America. He gave presentations about the Vietnam War to local high schools. Another passion of Roger’s was playing competitive softball in tournaments across the USA and Europe with the Badger Classics senior softball team. He founded the Ashippun Old Sox softball team and was known as the “Commissioner,” always making sure the cold beer was flowing and organized social events for the team. Roger was highly respected in his church and community, and had a remarkable talent for connecting with people and bringing them together.

A service to honor and celebrate Roger Dean Johnson’s life will be held on Saturday, November 9, 2024 at St. Olaf Lutheran Church in Rubicon. Visitation will occur from 10 am-1 pm, a service will be held at 1 pm, followed by a burial and a celebration of his life. In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests donations be made to St. Olaf Lutheran Church, in the memo indicating A Child’s Smile, in Roger’s memory.