TBDBITL Alumni Club

The Best Damn Band In The Land - The Ohio State University Marching Band Alumni

Dean Howell Johnson

November 30, 1922 - March 5, 2011

Concord Resident, Dr. Dean Howell Johnson passed away March 5, 2011 in Concord California. Born November 30, 1922 to Paul and Virginia Johnson, in Lancaster, Ohio. He graduated from Ohio State University, and was a proud member of the Ohio State marching band, where he was a trombonist.

During WWII, he flew 30 missions over Germany as a navigator on a B-24 with the 467th bomb group. Dean was a distinguished member of the community, not only caring for the residents of Concord in his private medical practice, but as a member of the Mt. Diablo School district Board of Trustees for 8 years. He served as a Peace Corp physician for 3 years in Afghanistan, a physician with Bell Helicopter in Iran, and also practiced medicine in Kwajalein, a part of the Marshall Islands. Dr. Johnson's practice of medicine, which focused on his personal relationship with each patient, has enriched many lives beyond the healing of ailments. Dean traveled extensively, was an avid reader, enjoyed history, loved Big Band music, and cherished his friendships.

Dean was married for 49 years, to the love of his life Francis Bell, on June 6, 1945. He is survived by his 8 children, Thomas Johnson, Mary Unthank, Daniel Johnson, Catherine Harrison, Elizabeth Johnson, Anne McLaurin, Margaret Johnson, Sarah Rogalsky, 22 grandchildren, and 5 great grandchildren.

A celebration of Dean's life will be held on Saturday March 12, 2011, 11:00 am at the Ouimet Bros. Concord Funeral Chapel, 4125 Clayton Road, Concord.

Dean was a member of the marching band in 1941 and 1942. He played alto horn.