Our Rotarian of the Week is a son of Cheyenne, who has had a remarkable career as a lawyer and Judge. He was born here and graduated from Cheyenne High School in 1957. His Father was a renowned test pilot and is a member of the aviation hall of fame. His Dad was the President of our Rotary Club (1983-1984). His Mom was a social worker. He has fond memories of the many excellent teachers he had in the Cheyenne schools. He was an accomplished debater and made lifelong friends while competing in speech and debate and attending Boy’s State.
He went to Vanderbilt University, which was near his Mother’s Tennessee family. After graduating in 1961 he returned to Wyoming to attend the College of Law, after persuading Dean Frank Trelease to admit him. He served a three-year stint in the Air Force JAG corps immediately after receiving his JD. He was stationed at Eglin AFB in the panhandle of Florida, where he owned a sailboat and learned open water sailing. Upon discharge he returned to Cheyenne to practice with Paul Godfrey and then formed a practice with other well regarded Wyoming lawyers including John Haynes, Jack Speight and Dave Carmichael.
Alan Johnson was appointed as the first US Magistrate Judge in 1971 by Judge Kerr. He became a State District Judge in Cheyenne in 1974. He served on the District Court bench with his mentor and longtime friend Joe Maier. In 1985, during a trial, Gerri Bishop, the Clerk of the Court, insisted Judge Johnson take a phone call. On the line was President Reagan, asking if he would accept an appointment to the newly created judgeship in Wyoming. When he appeared before the Senate Judiciary Committee one other candidate was also being interviewed, Jeff Sessions. Sessions’ appointment was very controversial and threw the hearing into uproar. Eventually confirmed, Judge Johnson served the Federal Court in Casper and Cheyenne, until Judge Downes was appointed as a full-time judge in Casper.
Judge Johnson has had an historic career on the bench, serving as Chief Judge, and as member of the Judicial Conference of the US, where he participated in the inner workings of the federal court system. He has mentored many young attorneys who served as his law clerks. His clerks have gone on to distinguished careers on the Federal and State bench and in private practice. His longtime Judicial Assistant Linda Burke was a highly valued co-worker. He feels blessed to have worked with some of the giants of the Wyoming Bar and Judiciary, including close friends Judge Kerr, Judge Brimmer, and Judge William Beaman.
Judge Johnson has two daughters, Jill (Laramie) and Janet (Cheyenne) and three grandchildren. His wife Linda, the mother of the girls, tragically died young. He was married to his second wife Nicky, a high school classmate, for 10 happy years, but she also passed away too young.
Judge Johnson has been an active Rotarian. He recalls taking his Dad with him to do highway cleanups. He was Club President in 1994-1995. He is proud of his involvement in the Read to Me program, the dinner/dances that the Club organized, and the Rotary events that were held at the Broadmoor Hotel in Colorado Springs. He believes the Club has been well served by the energy and leadership that the Presidents and Board have displayed and is grateful for the strong and diverse friendships the Club fosters.
Please join me in recognizing our Rotarian of the Week, Judge Alan Johnson.
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