BOONE, Iowa—Victor (Vic) Allan Johnson, 92, passed away peacefully on January 2, 2025, in San Diego, California, just before embarking on a cruise through the Panama Canal—his favorite destination.
Vic was born on August 24, 1932, in Logan, Iowa, to Mary Louise (Morehouse) Johnson and Victor Archibald Johnson. He graduated from Logan High School in 1950, where he served as class president. Vic earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Forestry from Iowa State College (now Iowa State University) in 1955 and was commissioned as an Army Artillery Officer. While attending Iowa State, Vic met Barbara Jean Abbott, an Ames native. They married on November 6, 1953, and were blessed with six children (five surviving), 15 grandchildren, and seven great-grandchildren.
Vic’s distinguished military career spanned 20 years. He attended artillery school and later became a fixed-wing and rotary-wing pilot, fulfilling his passion for flying. His service included assignments across the U.S. and Germany, with deployments to Lebanon in 1958 and two tours during the Vietnam War (1963 and 1967–1968). Vic earned numerous honors, including:
• Army Aviator Badge
• Senior Army Aviator Badge
• Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal (Lebanon)
• National Defense Service Medal
• Vietnam Campaign Medal with 60 Device
• Air Medal with 11 Oak Leaf Clusters
• Bronze Star Medal
• Vietnam Service Medal with 5 Bronze Service Stars
• Meritorious Unit Commendation
He retired as a Lieutenant Colonel from the Army Reserves in 1975. After retiring from the military, Vic began a second career with the Iowa Department of Transportation, where he worked until retiring again in 1994.
With their children grown, Vic and Barbara enjoyed RV trips to visit their family across Texas, Colorado, Arizona, and Iowa and spent winters as snowbirds in Texas. Barbara passed away in February 2002 after nearly 48 years of marriage. In 2005, Vic found love again with Elaine Bentley Finestead of Ogden, Iowa. Their marriage brought an extended family of four stepchildren, seven step-grandchildren, and four step-great-grandchildren. Together, Vic and Elaine embarked on countless adventures, from RV trips to cruises through Alaska, New England, the Maritime Islands, Europe, and the Panama Canal—Vic’s favorite. He especially loved spending time in the Crow’s Nest on cruise ships, sharing his stories with fellow passengers.
Vic was preceded in death by his parents; his infant daughter, Deborah Kay, born prematurely in Germany in 1957; and his first wife, Barbara, and sister, Jean Zahner, who passed two days after him.
He is survived by his children: David (Michelle) Johnson, Tammy (Bill) Dirks, Lisa (Rick) Ewan, Bruce Johnson, and Jennifer (Paul) Kernes; stepchildren: Timothy (Patricia) Finestead, Thomas (Sue) Finestead, James Finestead, and Carol (Dave) Casotti; grandchildren: Shannon, Brian, Matt, Scott, Elise, Katie, Gage, Shane, Brianna, Olivia, Cole, Ragan, Ian, Victoria, and Addison; step-grandchildren: Kelli, Thianna, Andre’A, Anthony, Tyler, Trey, and Dominic; great-grandchildren: Aubrey, Nora, Alexia, Liam, Lelya, Cael, Camryn; step-great-grandchildren: Aria, Rylie, Zoe, Charlotte; and numerous nephews and nieces.
Vic will be remembered as a devoted husband, father, and grandfather, a proud veteran, with a love for coaching baseball, playing golf and a storyteller with a passion for life’s adventures.
Memorial services will be held on Saturday, February 1, 2025, at 10:00 a.m. at Trinity Lutheran Church, 712 12th Street, Boone, Iowa 50036. Interment will be at Ames Municipal Cemetery, 310 E. 9th Street, Ames, Iowa 50010, following the memorial service. Visitation with the family present to greet friends will be from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. on Friday, January 31, 2025, at Schroeder-Stark-Welin Funeral Home, 609 7th Street, Boone, Iowa.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Trinity Lutheran Church in Boone, Iowa; Attn: ‘Building our Future in Christ’ Campaign or Puppy Jake Foundation. 301 104th St #2, Urbandale, IA 50322 (service dogs for Vets)
Schroeder-Stark-Welin Funeral Home, 609 7th Street, Boone, Iowa is assisting the family with these arrangements.
Vic Johnson, 92, Boone, Iowa
