Joseph Richard Johnson

Dick enlisted in the United States Marine Corps when he was 17 years old and served the duration of the war in the Pacific theater as a combat Marine. In late 1943 he was selected to join the original Marine Raiders 3rd Battalion. Following World War II, Dick attended both Oberlin College and the University of Montana, graduating from Montana. He returned to the Marine Corps as an officer and continued to serve his country in the Korean Conflict.

In 1952, he joined the Central Intelligence Agency as an Operations Officer. He spent the majority of his career with the CIA serving overseas in Japan, Hong Kong, Guyana, The Congo, India, Laos, Turkey and Ethiopia. When he returned to the United States for the last few years of his career, he served as CIA’s Deputy Director of Training and Education. As he often said, “Working with young officers is a joy for me, as it keeps me young.”

Following his official retirement in 1986, Dick continued to work another 15 years as a consultant for the Agency and the Department of Defense. He thoroughly enjoyed this period of his career, traveling and working with a close-knit team of Agency colleagues, fondly known as “The Pride of Lions”. During his long and distinguished career, he was the recipient of numerous awards and honors, including the Distinguished Intelligence Medal, an award he was presented twice. He retired as a member of the Senior Intelligence Service.

Dick’s first and last love was his bride of almost 70 years, Adella “Dell” (Huey) Johnson. They met in 1950 on a blind date in Quantico, Virginia, and together they raised three children while travelling the world. He loved football and was a lifelong fan of the Washington Redskins ~ despite the fact he had once been drafted by the New York Giants. Dick was also an avid reader, mostly of history and politics, and liked nothing more than discussing and debating current events with friends and family. He was a humble man with a wonderful sense of humor. While working at a CIA training facility, he could often be seen driving around with his beloved dog (a Boxer named “Winston”) sitting in the front seat next to him…sometimes relegating Dell to the backseat, much to the amusement of all, including Dell. Dick was a strong man with a soft heart, much loved by his children and grandchildren, and admired by so many. He was a Patriot, in the truest sense of the word. His life exemplified his fierce dedication to his God, to his country, and to his family.

Dick is survived by his wife, Dell; his son Dana Johnson; his son Barry Johnson and wife Mary; and his daughter Maya (Johnson) Roll and husband Steven. In addition, he is survived by seven exceptional grandchildren: Erica (and husband Jim Ververs), Hannah, Bennett, Daniel, Kelsey, Kayla, and Alex.

Dick will be interred with full military honors at Virginia’s Quantico National Cemetery on September 23rd at 10:30 am.

If you wish to make a contribution in Dick’s honor, please consider the Semper Fi America’s Fund organization. www.semperfifund.org