Joyce Johnson

Joyce Geiger Johnson

July 18, 1918-

November 7, 2011



Joyce Geiger Johnson of Pensacola passed away Monday November 7, 2011 at the Baptist Hospital.

Joyce was a native of Pensacola, having been born in old Sacred Heart Hospital in 1918 her mother Eunice Geiger and Grandmother Florence Thompson were also natives of Pensacola. Her father was General Roy S. Geiger U.S.M.C.

Joyce spent part of her early life in Haiti where her father was the Marine Corps Commander of all air units.

In 1936 Mrs. Johnson was training for the Olympic Swim Team but an attack of Pneumonia prevented her from making the trip to Berlin.

In 1939 she married second Lieutenant Robert J, Johnson and part of their honeymoon was spent at Camp Perry where Johnson was stationed with the Marine Rifle Team.

She returned to Pensacola when Lt. Johnson was ordered to flight training in 1940. After a short tour in San Diego where her twins were born, she moved to Hawaii in time to witness the attack on Pearl Harbor from her house in Pearl City. She was evacuated in February, 1942 and spent most of the war in Pensacola here she was a driver for the Red Cross Motor Corps. Later in Quantico, VA She was Red Cross Chairman for two years.

Later she became a field director of the Girl Scouts. Having been a Golden Eagle in her youth, she kept up her interest and loyalty to the scout movement. She was also an avid golfer and had two holes in one.

Mrs. Johnson is preceded in death by her husband Col. R. J. Johnson. Her only son Lt. Robert J. Johnson was killed at sea off the Philipines in 1982 in a F-4 accident. His widow Linda.

Survivors include a daughter Karen Oetken of Olympia, Washington a daughter Gale Hancock of LaGrange Georgia and a Daughter Melanie Lee of Pensacola. She is also survived also by eight grandchildren: Christy Cabassa (Sal), Kathy Sumner, Lt. Cmdr. Sam Hancock (Amy), Susan Sweeny (Carl), Rachel Kammerer (Kirt), Lee Oetken, Melanie Dezelak (Stephen), Douglas Johnson , and eight great grandchildren.

Funeral services will be 9:30 AM Friday November 11, at the All Saints Episcopal Church with the Reverend Hugh Hall and Thomas Brooks officiating. Burial will follow at Barrancas National Cemetery. Oak Lawn Funeral Home 619 New Warrington Road is in charge of services.

She loved birding and contributions may be made to the Francis Weston Audubon Society, or any Marine Corps charity.



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