"Byrl" Albert B. Johnson

Albert Byrl Johnson, known and loved by all as "Byrl", resident of Lake Montezuma passed away on Tuesday, May 27, 2008 at the Sedona Winds Assisted Living in Sedona. Byrl was 96 years of age. He was the son of Albert D. and Myra (Reed) Johnson. He was born January 1, 1912 in Vinton, Iowa; where he grew up and graduated from the local high school in 1929. Byrl also attended the University of Nebraska where he studied Agricultural Engineering. During his youth, Albert also served his country during WWII with the United States Navy as Aviation Machinist\u0027s Mate First Class in a photographic squadron. Byrl was a stranger to few, and a friend to everyone. During his time in Cortez, Colorado, he was the owner of Penningtons Department Store; the first President of the Mesa Verde Savings and Loan, the President of the Cortez Lion\u0027s Club; and he served 4 years as a City Councilman; following which he served as Mayor. Byrl was also a member of the Methodist faith, the Shriner\u0027s Club, the Elk\u0027s Club, and the Oxford Club; as well as a 50 year member and Master Mason. Upon moving to the Verde Valley, Byrl again found himself busy with in his community serving as a Board Member of the Beaver Creek School; where he utilized his ability and love for building, and built the library, computer lab and several classrooms. Beyond community service he also enjoyed golfing, traveling, and finance; but his true passion was helping others and getting to know people. Byrl is preceded in death by the love of his life, his wife of 57 years, Dorothy Elizabeth Johnson; his sister, Mildred Johnson Eppers; and three brothers, Max Johnson, Gale Johnson, and Garth Johnson. He leaves behind his step-son, Robert Dennis Shields; his nieces, Jacqueline O\u0027Brien of North Kingsville, Ohio, and Deloris Fields with her husband, Tom of Rimrock; five grandchildren, Gay Marrs with her husband, Joe of Denton, Texas, Guy Shields of Dallas, Texas, Robin Beal with her husband, Shawn of Merritt Island, Florida, Jody Miller with her husband, Eric of Collierville, Tennessee, and Jessica Helms with her husband, Ronnie of Rowlett, Texas; and eight great-grandchildren. Byrl and Dorothy Johnson will be inurned at the National Memorial Cemetery of Arizona in Phoenix on Thursday, June 5, 2008 at 2:00 pm. A Memorial Service will be held at the Sedona Winds Assisted Living Facility, 475 Jacks Canyon Rd in Sedona, Arizona on Friday, June 6, 2008 at 10:00 am. Contributions can be sent to the Sedona Winds Assisted Living, 405 Jacks Canyon Rd., Sedona, Arizona 86336. An online guestbook is available at www.westcottfuneralhome.com