Houston Fire loses longtime firefighter to cancer

WASILLA — The Houston Fire Department recently announced the sudden death of John Johnson, a longtime firefighter and active community volunteer. Johnson died after a year-long battle with cancer Tuesday, April 13.

“He defined public servant,” Houston Fire Chief Christian Hartley said.

Hartley said that Johnson died just two days after his 68th birthday, taking everyone by surprise. He said Johnson’s sad and untimely death will be felt across the community he served for many years.

“He was able to be home when he passed but it was rapid. I mean, Saturday he was talking to people and joking with people, and Tuesday he was gone,” Hartley said.

Hartley said that firefighters had been helping around the house during Johnson’s final days and it happened to occur during a training day, so they were able to notify the department right away.

“It’s called a firehouse… because we’re all a family. So, it literally and figuratively, both is losing a member of your family,” Hartley said.

Hartley said that Johnson was an active member of the community who offered aid wherever he could. When he wasn’t helping with the fire department on calls, he was volunteering with a number of first aid agencies and other groups like the Alaska Professional Volunteers.

“He was always helping people,” Hartley said.

Most people refer to Johnson as “JJ.” He was known for his sense of humor and his infinite well of stories.

“He was full of stories. Every person that knew him knew at least 20 different stories JJ told,” Hartley said.

One of Johnson’s longtime friends, Karen Anderson, said that she volunteered with him as standby medics for the Alaska State Fair. She said they volunteered together through numerous events and organizations over the years, including APV.

“He dragged me into everything,” she said with a laugh. “He had this charisma about him that he has been a mentor to a lot of people… He knew the ins and outs of everything… He was an excellent teacher… He enjoyed imparting his knowledge to others.”

According to Harltey, Johnson served nearly 14 years with Houston Fire, following many years across many departments. During Johnson’s career, he provided advanced life support to thousands of patients and helped fight hundreds to structure fires.

“He worked most of the major fires that happened out here in the Valley… He liked helping people. That was his thing. This last year was so hard for him not being able to respond to calls. The cancer just got to where he just couldn’t,” Anderson said. “We talked a bit. There hasn’t been a day since we reconnected that I have not spoken to him in one manner or another, and I’m really gonna miss that part.”

Hartley said that Johnson spent his career protecting the safety and lives of other responders, focusing on injury prevention, incident safety, and medical training. He said that Johnson trained him when he was first starting out.

Johnson received an EMS Special Award by the Governor’s Alaska Council for EMS to recognize over four decades of continuous EMT service across the state in October of 2020, accepting the award after numerous rounds of chemotherapy.

“John was a valiant public servant and did everything he could to make sure every new recruit learned everything they needed to succeed and survive in public safety. To wake up this morning and find out he didn’t breaks our heart, but it will not break our will. We will continue his mission to save lives and stay safe,” Hartley stated in a press release issued April 14.

Hartley said that Johnson’s funeral arrangements haven’t been finalized yet, but more details about his service will be provided at a later date. He said the city is currently brainstorming ways to memorize Johnson’s service with some type of official dedication.

The family has asked that people consider donating to Mobile Medics International In lieu of flowers.

“This Anchorage-based nonprofit serves the same mission John did – providing emergency care to those who need it, no matter who, where, or when,” Hartley said.

Contact Mat-Su Valley Frontiersman reporter Jacob Mann at jacob.mann@frontiersman.com