Isaac Daniel Johnson, Sr
USN Retired Senior Chief Petty Officer

Isaac Daniel Johnson Sr. passed away peacefully in his home surrounded by family on Saturday July 15, 2017 following an ongoing battle with cancer in Oak Harbor, Washington; where he has resided since 1974.
Isaac was born on August 11, 1938 in Stuttgart, Arkansas, to Margie Lee Harris Nobles. He had many nicknames from “Sonny”, “Sonny boy” to his family, “Ike” and “I.D.” to friends and colleagues, and “Papa” for his grandchildren.
Isaac grew up in St. Louis, Missouri, where he graduated from Vashon High School in 1956. After graduation from high school, Isaac moved to Louisville, Kentucky where he enlisted in United States Navy and served for 24 years.
Isaac met his wife Ira “Faye” Johnson in Memphis, Tennessee in 1958. They were married on April 29, 1960.
Isaac received an Associate Degree in Engineering Technology and Associate of Science Degree from Olympic College Bremerton.
During his time in the Navy, Senior Chief Petty Officer Isaac Johnson served during the Vietnam War. He earned and received the rank of E8 and received many honors and awards such as; National Defense Service Medal; Vietnam Campaign Medal with Service; Vietnam Service Medal; Navy Unit Commendation; Republic of Vietnam Armed Forces Meritorious Unit Commendation Gallantry Cross; Navy Achievement Medal and multiple good conduct awards. Isaac was on a few aircraft carriers namely the USS Saratoga – Bicentennial Cruise 1976, USS Coral Sea 1968-69, USS Constellation 1974. He was also stationed out on a few smaller ships during his tour in the NAVY. He was stationed in Guam; Corpus Christi, Texas; twice in Oak Harbor, Washington; and Bremerton, Washington.
Isaac became a mechanic and an excellent instructor for the A6/EA-6 communities. He instructed basic hydraulics fundamentals on the EA-6B/A-6E airframes, hydraulics and flight controls systems, and aircrew familiarization and corrosion control. His primary duty was supervising instructors for the aircraft division, maintaining equipment and materials. Enjoyable goals in the Navy were fixing airplanes and teaching young mechanics. He served with VP-17, HatRon 123, VA-128, VA-52, VAQ 131, and two tours with NAMTRAGRUDET Whidbey Island. After his retirement he was a contract worker for Boeing, instructing work on the hydraulics and wings on their planes. This led him to work in Greenville, Mississippi; Everett, Washington; and Ewa Beach, Hawaii.
Isaac was known for his love of God, wife, family & country, especially the Navy. He had a passion for singing, woodworking, photography, fishing, traveling, gardening, and sports. His love for sports came from his childhood days of playing football and basketball and running track. He contributed this sports passion to the Oak Harbor community by refereeing many youth league softball, baseball, junior high football and basketball, and high school football and basketball games. Isaac also encouraged his children to participate in athletics, and entered us in various road races in the area. He would travel to many games and activities to see his children compete and take the family on many road trips to Seattle to support the local professional teams. He loved the Seattle Supersonics and passed this love on to his children. His love for gardening led to him owning his own landscaping business: Isaac Johnson Lawncare. For a time, Isaac coordinated the Foreign Student Exchange Program in Oak Harbor. For his involvement in the community affairs, Isaac received the Martin Luther King Jr. Citizen Award in 1980 by Skagit Valley Community College.
Isaac loved God and shared this love through song. He sang worship songs in many churches, hospitals, and nursing homes, and sang the national anthem at many sporting events. His dedication to God was instilled in his children.
Isaac is survived by his wife of 57 years Ira “Faye” Johnson, eight (8) living children and (grandchildren), Pamela (Chauntelle), Gina and her husband Robert Faison (Arik, Aaron, Abraham), Isaac Jr. and his wife Kim (Shane and Riley), Deborah and her husband Kenneth Owen (Joshua, Andrew, Rachel, and Jarron), Linda and her husband Keith (Keith Jr), Ivan (Sophia), Sarah (Shaun and Shemar), and Isaiah and his wife Leta (Elijah, Azaria, and Neviah), & 2 great grandchildren (Savannah, Carly), lots of nieces, nephews & cousins.
His brother Joe Frank and his wife Jerlean from Louisville, Kentucky, and his sister Gloria and her husband Reverend Samuel Hale from Springfield, Illinois also survive Isaac. His brother Nathaniel, daughter Della Denise, and his mother Margie Lee Harris Nobles precede him in death.
A Celebration of Life for Isaac will be held Monday, July 24 at 6pm at Life Church in Oak Harbor, WA.
Isaac's burial with military honors will be held Friday, July 28 promptly at 12:30pm at Tahoma National Cemetery in Kent, Washington in the presence of his family and close friends.
The Johnson family would like to thank Dr. Jafari, the Hospice of the Northwest for the services they provided and the many people who helped him with his cancer treatments. You are all very much appreciated.
In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the NEXT Generation Youth Group at Life Church, Oak Harbor or SPIN Cafe Whidbey Island.

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