Geroge Harold Johnson

George Harold Johnson, 85, of 727 Bashore Dr., Meadville, died Wednesday, December 21, 2005 at Meadville Medical Center.

He was born June 17, 1920 in Solvay, NY, a son of the late Howard H. and Mildred E. Vandenberg Johnson.  He married Sarah Grace Merriman June 4, 1947 in San Antonio, TX.

He was a World War II Veteran as a navigator instructor and combat navigator in the U.S. Army Air Corps from 1942 to 1946, serving in the European Theater of Operations.  He was a recipient of the Silver Air Medal.

He graduated magna cum laude in 1942 with an AB degree in Science Education and Physics, a MS in 1947, and a PhD in 1951 in Educational Psychology, all from Syracuse University.  He started his career as an Assistant Professor of Psychology at the University of New Mexico and subsequently worked for the American Institutes for Research in Pittsburgh, the RAND Corporation and System Development Corporation Santa Monica, Calif. as the Head of Training Development.  In 1961, he moved to Colorado Springs, CO as Executive and Manager of the Systems Development Corporation Liaison Office, supporting the North American Air Defense Command.  In 1964, he went to Washington, DC as the Senior Technical Advisor to various governmental programs and agencies.  During the 1970s, he worked for The Education Commission of the States in Denver, CO as Deputy Staff Director, and the Riverside Publishing Company in Iowa City, Iowa as Director of Planning and Research.  He retired in 1982 and moved to Rogers, Ark. Where he resided until 2003 when he and his wife moved to Wesbury United Methodist Retirement Community.

He was a Fellow in the American Psychological Association, a Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science and was a member of Phi Beta Kappa, Sigma Xi, and Phi Delta Kappa honorary societies.

He was a member of Christ Church Episcopal.  As singing brought George great joy, he was a member of various church choirs, barbershop quartets, and the Northwest Arkansas Community Singers.  An avid reader, he was active in the Rogers, Ark. Friends of the Library and served as treasurer.  He also enjoyed Elderhostel vacations.

Survivors, in addition to his wife of 58 years, include a daughter, Jo Carol Enterline and her husband John of Atlantic; a son, Philip C. Johnson and his wife Dorothy Jean of Canon City, CO; 2 grandchildren, Shawn Enterline and his wife Merissa and Julie Scott and her husband Don; 3 great-grandchildren, John Arthur, Sarah Grace, and Elaina Noel Scott; a sister, Mildred E. Jones of Baldwinsville, NY; and 2 brothers, Charles Howard Johnson and his wife Doris of Madison, NJ and Wayne N. Johnson and his wife Judy of Camillus, NY.  He was preceded in death by a brother, Stuart E. Johnson.

A memorial service will be Wednesday, December 28th at 10:00 a.m. at Christ Church Episcopal, 870 Diamond Park, Meadville with Fr. Victor J. Kinnunen officiating.

The family suggests memorials may be made to The Wesbury Foundation, 31 N. Park Ave., Meadville, PA 16335.

Arrangements are under the direction of the Robert W. Waid Funeral Home, 581 Chestnut St., Meadville.