Joseph Junior Johnson

Joseph Junior Johnson of Lemitar, NM died at his home in Socorro, NM on September 1, 2018 at the age of 85, surrounded by his loved ones. He was born on November 16, 1932 to Joe & Virginia Johnson in Richmond, Indiana. He moved with his family to Toledo, Ohio in 1933. From there the family moved to Albuquerque in 1944 and then to Los Alamos in 1949 where he worked for Mountain Bell Telephone Co, retiring in 1985 to his then homestead in Sierra Los Pinos, Jemez Springs, NM since 1974. Mom & Dad then moved to Mitchell Point at Elephant Butte Lake where they retired to a life of leisure in 1986 and managed to supervise lake fun for 2 generations of children. They eventually relocated to San Acacia and stayed with their daughter Carol for 1 year before purchasing their property in Lemitar.  Joe proudly and honorably served as a seaman in the United States Navy on the USS Oriskany CVA 34 aircraft carrier. He was in the Korean War from 1951 - 1954 and was entitled to wear the following service ribbons: National Defense, Korean Service, United Nations, Good Conduct and China Service.  Joe was a mentor to many young men over the years. He would take them in to his home, give them a job and help them to get back on track with their lives. The ones he mentored all agreed that he made a huge mark on their lives and managed to stay close with him. They are: Roger Smith, Randy Burditt, Chris Lee, Les Roberts, Andrew Fowner, Michael (Cowboy) Haselhof, Lloyd Mitchell Jr. and Eddie Brow. He also sponsored a Christmas meal every year for the Jemez Boy’s Ranch at Joe & Jean’s Restaurant in Los Alamos and sponsored the Los Alamos High School Rodeo Club.   Joe was a cowboy through and through. He was breaking horses on a ranch in Glorieta, NM when he met his wife, Jean. He rode for many years on the Baca Ranch in Jemez Mountains. It was in his blood. He raised his children with a love for horses, cowboys and a good work ethic. He was instrumental in helping kids to be a part of the rodeo life, learning the value of hard work and just plain fun. He filled many empty hearts with love and acceptance and will be remembered dearly by many.  Predeceased by his wife of 57 years, Jean Marie Johnson; his father, Joe Brown Johnson; his mother, Virginia Ione Johnson of Lemitar, NM and his sister, Bona June Gray of Los Alamos, NM.  Survived by his daughter, Carol Virginia Caldwell & her husband, Lucky Caldwell of San Acacia, NM; his son, Joseph Darrel Johnson and his wife, Cathy Steele Johnson of Lemitar, NM; and his daughter, Susan Diane Petersen of Lemitar, NM; grandsons Lucky Lew Caldwell, Joseph Anthony Johnson, Jesse Shane Stephens; granddaughters, Amanda Marie Darras, Virginia Rose Powell, Elizabeth Ann Johnson, Marie Lynn Hanley and Jean Ann Stephens ; great-grandsons, Dominic  Kuhn, Tyler Darras, Joseph Johnson, Cody Hanley, Michael Johnson; great-granddaughters, KaLynn Darras, Alexis Hanley, Corina Powell and Aaliyah Stephens; sisters, Iola Nichols of Kansas and Kathy Hall and her husband, Tom of Rio Rancho.  In his own words, “I’m a lover, a fighter, a wild horse back rider and a damn good windmill man!” RiP cowboy. We wish you well on your last ride leaving behind a legacy of love and the cowboy way of life. In lieu of floral tributes, the family has asked that donations be made to the "Out of the Darkness Walk"  https://afsp.donordrive.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=donorDrive.participant&participantID=1657739  in Joseph's name. To view information or leave a condolence, please visit www.danielsfuneral.com. Joe's care has been entrusted to: 
Daniels Family Funeral Services
309 Garfield St
Socorro, NM 87801
575-835-1530