Obituary for Albert L. Johnson Sr.
Albert Johnson, of Wilkinsburg, Pennsylvania, passed away on Christmas Day, 2020 after reaching the age of 89.
Albert was born on December 16, 1931 to Luther and Maudelena (Guess) Johnson in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He was the youngest of seven children. He attended Miller Street School, Fifth Avenue High School, matriculated to the University of Pittsburgh, participated in Army ROTC, joined Alpha Phi Alpha, and earned his Bachelor’s degree in business along with his Second Lieutenant commission in 1955. He joined his father’s business, Johnson Studio, and in 1958 studied portraiture at the New York Institute of Photography. He joined a branch of the Opportunities Industrialization Center, an economic development initiative founded by Rev. Dr. Leon Sullivan, in 1967. In 1969, he joined Highmark Inc. (Blue Cross of Western Pennsylvania) as a training specialist, continuing for 19 years. At the same time, he continued his service in the Army Reserve, rising through the ranks and roles, culminating in promotion to Colonel in 1979. Notably, he served as Depot Commander of the 443rd Field Depot in Oakdale, PA in 1983, and Deputy Chief of Staff for Logistics of the 99th Army Reserve Command from 1984 until he reached mandatory retirement in 1985. In 2016, he stood in for his brother Robert, a Tuskegee Airman who was killed in action, to receive the Congressional Gold Medal. His community service included Boy Scouts of America, Urban Youth Action, the Emanons club, and the Zoning Board of Appeals in Wilkinsburg.
January 9, 1960, Albert married Ann Walker at Sixth Mt. Zion Baptist Church. They joined Ebenezer Baptist Church, fellowshipping and worshipping God there until moving to First Baptist in the 1980s. Albert was active on the Board of Deacons and the church choir; he and Ann extended their involvement, influence and care across many aspects of congregational life. They celebrated fifty years of marriage.
Albert was predeceased by his parents, wife (Ann), sisters Ruth (James) and Edith (Charles), and brothers Robert, Luther II (Jeanne), and William (Sammie). He is survived by sons Albert (Michele) and Eric, grandchildren Sarah (Joshua) Bayer and Albert III, great-grandchild Wolfgang Bayer, along with a host of extended family and friends.
Albert was born on December 16, 1931 to Luther and Maudelena (Guess) Johnson in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He was the youngest of seven children. He attended Miller Street School, Fifth Avenue High School, matriculated to the University of Pittsburgh, participated in Army ROTC, joined Alpha Phi Alpha, and earned his Bachelor’s degree in business along with his Second Lieutenant commission in 1955. He joined his father’s business, Johnson Studio, and in 1958 studied portraiture at the New York Institute of Photography. He joined a branch of the Opportunities Industrialization Center, an economic development initiative founded by Rev. Dr. Leon Sullivan, in 1967. In 1969, he joined Highmark Inc. (Blue Cross of Western Pennsylvania) as a training specialist, continuing for 19 years. At the same time, he continued his service in the Army Reserve, rising through the ranks and roles, culminating in promotion to Colonel in 1979. Notably, he served as Depot Commander of the 443rd Field Depot in Oakdale, PA in 1983, and Deputy Chief of Staff for Logistics of the 99th Army Reserve Command from 1984 until he reached mandatory retirement in 1985. In 2016, he stood in for his brother Robert, a Tuskegee Airman who was killed in action, to receive the Congressional Gold Medal. His community service included Boy Scouts of America, Urban Youth Action, the Emanons club, and the Zoning Board of Appeals in Wilkinsburg.
January 9, 1960, Albert married Ann Walker at Sixth Mt. Zion Baptist Church. They joined Ebenezer Baptist Church, fellowshipping and worshipping God there until moving to First Baptist in the 1980s. Albert was active on the Board of Deacons and the church choir; he and Ann extended their involvement, influence and care across many aspects of congregational life. They celebrated fifty years of marriage.
Albert was predeceased by his parents, wife (Ann), sisters Ruth (James) and Edith (Charles), and brothers Robert, Luther II (Jeanne), and William (Sammie). He is survived by sons Albert (Michele) and Eric, grandchildren Sarah (Joshua) Bayer and Albert III, great-grandchild Wolfgang Bayer, along with a host of extended family and friends.