Obituary of Alan "AJ" Earl Johnson
Age 75, of Otisville, died Saturday, July 1, 2023. A funeral service will be held on Friday, July 7, 2023, at Martin Funeral, Cremation & Tribute Services in Mt. Morris. Pastor Tom Forgo to officiate, with burial to follow at Flint Memorial Park Cemetery. Alan’s family will be present to receive friends on Thursday evening from 5:30 pm until 8:00 pm, and again on Friday from 10:00 am until the time of service at 11:00 am. Memorial contributions may be considered to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital. Envelopes are available at the funeral home. Expressions of sympathy may be placed on Alan’s tribute wall at martinfuneralhome.com.
Alan “AJ” was born in Flint, on January 22, 1948, the son of Mr. and Mrs. Earl and Hazel (Strickert) Johnson. Educated locally, he attended Kearsley High School and graduated with the Class of 1966. AJ studied at Michigan State University where he completed his associate degree in agriculture. On January 23, 1971, AJ married the love of his life, Patricia Burnham whom he nicknamed “Bernie.”
AJ’s work ethic was top-notch, being a farmer his whole life, he eventually took over the family farm that he was raised on, Johnson Farms. He loved everything about farming, from driving around the fields looking at the progress of the crops, driving his tractor and combine, planting, and harvesting, and took great pride in caring for his cattle.
AJ had a great sense of humor and loved everyone he met. AJ had a strong faith and believed God would always provide. He always said he never met a stranger; they were all friends. If he considered you a friend, you were his family. He had the biggest heart of anyone you would ever meet and would give the shirt off his back for anyone in need.
AJ loved to be outdoors, and he loved nature and hunting pheasants, deer, turkey, bear, geese, and was an avid coon hunter. He enjoyed his black and tan dogs that he hunted with and raised from puppies, from which he obtained many trophies in competitions. AJ could often be found watching sports, especially MSU football, and basketball. He enjoyed people, was a great storyteller, and could talk to anyone for hours. AJ took on all the children in the family as his own. He had a pool that he loved to see all the kids in, enjoying themselves, after he taught them all how to swim. Forever in a good mood, nothing ever phased or bothered him. He was the most patient man you would ever meet. He never got mad about anything. His great attitude and love for everyone and everything is what set him apart from the rest. He will be greatly missed.
Left to cherish AJ's memory is his loving wife of 52 years, Patricia" Bernie" Johnson; siblings: Ryan and wife, Rita Johnson, Beth and husband, Frank Sorensen; nephews: Reid and wife, Melinda, Drew and wife, Lisa, Troy and girlfriend, Amber, Dustan and wife, Robin; great nieces and nephews: Austin, Chase, Kash, Lane, Andrew, Avery, Adrianna, Anniston, Madison, Myla, Ashley; brothers-in-law: Michael and wife, Amy, John and wife, Joan, Jeff and wife, Roxanne; sister-in-law: Coni and husband, Mike; several special friends, nieces, nephews, and relatives.
AJ was preceded in death by his parents; twin brother, Jerry, brother, Craig; nephew, Corey.