Larry R. Johnson – Lieutenant Colonel, United States Air Force

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Larry R. Johnson (1944-1998)

Len Pomata, the President of Litton PRC, issued the following announcement on the passing of Larry Johnson. Please share this announcement with all. Thank you.

It is with deep regret that I announce the passing of Larry Johnson, an executive manager with Civil Systems and Services in McLean, due to the effects of cancer. He was 54 years old.

Larry joined PRC in 1988 as a member of the Advanced Weather Interactive Processing Systems (AWIPS) proposal team. He worked in many different capacities on the AWIPS program over the years including software development manager, transition and implementation manager, director of operations, and deputy program manager. As the senior meteorologist assigned to the program, he is credited with making the program the success it is today by always keeping the focus on serving the needs of the end user the field meteorologist or hydrologist.

Prior to joining PRC, Larry served 23 years in the U.S. Air Force’s Air Weather Service retiring with the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. Larry’s accomplishments within the Air Force included Rawinsonde observer, Tinker Air Force Base, Oklahoma; Command Briefer, Udorn Air Base and Nakhon Phanom Air Base, Thailand; Plans Staff Officer, HQ AF Systems Command, Andrews Air force Base, Maryland; Chief, Computer Graphics Section, Assistant Operations Officer, and Special Projects Forecaster, Air Force Global Weather Central, Offutt Air Force Base, Nebraska; Chief, Hq USAF Weather Assignments Office, Hq AF Military Personnel Center, Randolph Air Force Base Texas; and Director, Weather Systems Acquisition, Hq Air Weather Service, Scott Air Force Base, Illinois. Larry earned Bachelor of Science and Master of Science Degrees in Meteorology from the University of Wisconsin.

Larry was active in the American Meteorological Society as a member for 29 years, as Chairperson and Vice-Chairperson of several local chapters, as an Advisor to the National AMS Executive Director for creation of a Chapters Committee, and as a member of the Chapters Committee. Larry was a founding member of the National Weather Association and served as national vice president in 1992 and national president in 1995. The NWA is committed to supporting and promoting excellence in operational meteorology and related activities. Larry was active in numerous community and civic activities. He was actively involved in historical reenactments of Civil War battles of the Eastern Theater, and authored several Civil War articles.

Larry was diagnosed with a rare form of bone cancer in August of last year and insisted on continuing to work through the long painful treatment. He worked up until 3 weeks prior to his death, continuing to make major contributions to the AWIPS program. Larry is survived by his wife Laurie, mother Minnie, brother Roger, daughters Julie and Heather, and grandson Nicholas. The family requests donations in lieu of flowers be sent to the American Meteorological Society, 45 Beacon St, Boston, MA 02108-3693, in the name of Larry R. Johnson.

Funeral services are scheduled at 10:45AM on Tuesday, 11 August 1998, at the Ft Myer Chapel, Ft Myer, Virginia. The Mass will be followed by burial in Arlington National Cemetary with full military honors. Following the burial, a reception will be held at the Ft Myer Officers Club. Visitation will be held from 2:00PM to 4:00PM and from 6:00PM to 8:00PM on Monday, 10 August 1998, at Green Funeral Home, 721 Elden Street, Herndon, Virginia.

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