Jarl O. Johnson

Jarl O. Johnson, 1928-2025, of Pompano Beach, FL and Feeding Hills, MA, 97, entered into eternal rest on Friday, July 4, 2025. Born in New Britain, Connecticut to Swedish-American parents Andrew E. and Elisabeth (Sjöström) Johnson, Jarl grew up in Feeding Hills, Massachusetts. He attended Agawam Schools, and then AIC in Springfield, paying his way by spending his summers and vacations working on various construction projects, many times working alongside his father, a framing and finish carpenter. After enlisting in the US Army, he was deployed to Japan where he served as an electronics specialist/lineman, First Cavalry Division. (1946-1948).
Returning home to Feeding Hills, he enrolled in the Engineering School at the University of Massachusetts Amherst on the GI Bill. Jarl continued as an engineer at Hamilton Standard, a division of the United Aircraft Corp in Connecticut, and later in Miami, Florida. In his role as a supervisor at Hamilton Standard he earned a reputation for his ability to see the highest potential in everyone and for giving his engineers a vast level of freedom and independence. His career also afforded him the opportunity to travel extensively throughout South America in service to foreign flag airlines and manufacturers such as Embraer.
Following retirement that capped his forty-year career at Hamilton Standard, Jarl spent time at his primary home in Pompano Beach, as well as in Feeding Hills and, beginning with his second marriage, at his wife's home in Rancho Palos Verdes. He always enjoyed returning to Feeding Hills each summer and autumn. A consummate trouble-shooter and improviser, Jarl found inventive solutions to every conceivable problem. He owned two US patents.
Jarl enjoyed his trips to China, Central Europe, Alaska, the Canadian Rockies, as well as trips to his parents' hometowns in Sweden - Algutsrum (Öland), and Gällared, Falkenberg (Halland), where he attended a large Jonsson family reunion. He liked tinkering with his old Fords, including a 1928 Model A. Other interests were researching stocks, photography and horticulture. He became known as The Tomato Man, for the many tomato plants that he propagated from seed in the backyard and then offered to friends.
He leaves two sons, Aric Johnson of Florida and Brian Johnson of North Carolina, a granddaughter, Sonia (Johnson) Miller and her husband Kevin Miller, along with two great grandchildren, Kyle Miller and Maya Miller, all of Florida. He was predeceased by first wife Margaret (Lindroos) Johnson, second wife Marilyn (Aldrich) Johnson, sister Aiva Johnson, and brother Roy Johnson.
A graveside service will be held at the Springfield Street Cemetery, 1078 Springfield Street, Feeding Hills, MA at 3pm on Friday, July 18th. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to a charity of your choice. The Toomey-O’Brien Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.