Wayne Johnson

Wayne D. Johnson Sr., 90, formerly of Emmaus, passed peacefully April 18th at his home in Country Meadows of Allentown. Born in Chicago, IL to the late Trygve and Alice, he was the husband of Delores (Jones) for 65+ years. Wayne graduated from Englewood High School in IL and entered the U.S. Army during WWII serving at Fort Sheridan, IL. After an honorable discharge in 1946 he attended the Illinois Institute of Technology (ITT) in Chicago, IL, earning his BS in Mechanical Engineering in 1950. During his tenure at ITT he was initiated into the Alpha Sigma Phi fraternity, and due to outstanding work received an honorary election into the Pi Tau Sigma Mechanical Engineering and Sigma Iota Epsilon Management fraternities. With initial thoughts of using his methodical artistic ability to become an Architect he took Drawing and Design credit classes at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, IL, but upon moving to Buffalo, NY, he directed himself toward the University of Buffalo Management Training Program. He completed his coursework at New York University Graduate School of Business after moving from Buffalo to Stamford, CT and was granted a Masters of Business Administration (MBA) in 1961 via the University of Buffalo. Wayne's first job out of college was as a Project Manager for General Motors, Electromotive Division in the design of diesel locomotives. Working as a Design Engineer for both Mall Tool Company and Inland Steel Container Company led him into sales, marketing, and product management for Norma-Hofmann Bearings Corporation in Stamford, CT. This was the start of his career in the industry of the design and manufacture of precision ball, roller, and thrust bearings. This career took him and his family across the country to FAG Bearings in Joplin, MO in 1975, L&S Bearing Company, Oklahoma City, OK, Shatz Federal Bearings Co. Inc, Poughkeepsie, NY, and SKF Component Systems Co., Bethlehem/Allentown, PA. After eleven years with SKF, he retired in 1991. Wayne's work assignments enabled him to travel to many countries, feeding his love of exploring which he shared with his children in the form of camping adventures, and with his wife in travels to even more exciting countries and locales on their vacations. His greatest pastime passion, though, was aviation. In 1975/1976, after decades of dedicating himself to work and family while taking flight instruction on the side, Wayne soloed in a Piper Cherokee trainer and earned his Private Pilots license. As a life member of the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA), he took what he learned from hundreds of air shows, conventions, and seminars and purchased a Pulsar two-seat low-wing tail-dragger kit in 1991. With Delores's blessing and occasional aide, he built the airplane in the garage of their Emmaus home (inducting his own modifications along the way). Using Queen City Airport in Allentown as his tie-down, he ultimately fulfilled his dream of flying his home-built into the annual Oshkosh, WI EAA convention of 1998. Surviving with his wife are daughters Robin Golightly, husband David, and Lisa Johnson, both of Windsor, CT; son, Scott Johnson Sr., wife Pamela, of Allentown; grandchildren, Lacey (William) Turner, Robert (Diane) Johnson, Jennifer (Bradley) Yarzebinski, Scott Jr. (Emily) Johnson, Casey Johnson, Chase Golightly, and Meagan Golightly; great-grandchildren, Logan, Bailey, Braedyn, Carter, Brooklyn, Reagyn, and Jerad; as well as many close nieces, their spouses, and his cousins. He was predeceased by his son, Wayne Jr., and his brother, Glenn (Lil). Services will be held at 1:30-2:30 PM Sat., May 14th in the Building 4 Dining Room at Country Meadows of Allentown, 460 N. Krocks Rd. Allentown.