Roll Call Tribute

John G. "Johnnie" Johnson 

June 1, 1947 - July 4, 2025 

Alaska Wildlife Photographer, Johnny Johnson, passed away on July 4, 2025, at Alaska Regional Hospital. Johnny was born in Brainerd, Minnesota but his passion for wildlife and photography developed while he was growing up in the hill country of Austin, Texas. He graduated from Texas A&M University with a degree in wildlife management and then, in 1968, he took a seasonal ranger job at Denali National Park.

An avid outdoorsman, Johnson joined with five other men to successfully summit Mt. McKinley in 1972 by the Traleika Glacier Spur. Johnny skied across the Brooks Range, kayaked in Glacier Bay and Katmai National Parks, hiked in the Aleutian Islands. Always with a camera at hand.

In 1974 Johnny published his first photo. This prompted Johnson to make a major career change and in 1976 he took a leap of faith and became a full-time wildlife photographer.

Since then, Johnny worked on assignment for National Geographic and his photos were published worldwide in magazines, calendars and books. He was represented by the top stock photo agencies and several Alaska galleries carried his limited-edition art.

Johnny Johnson was recognized for his talent and called “Alaska’s Dean of Wildlife Photography” by Alaska Magazine in their January 1991 issue. He received an honorary degree in the Arts from Alaska Pacific University, and in March 1999 the U.S. Postal Service selected one of his images for the Arctic Animals Stamp. In 2009 Johnny was invited by the National Geographic Society to the White House Press Photographers dinner in Washington D.C.

Nicknamed ‘Journey Johnson’ his travels included many expeditions to Africa and Antarctica and always by his side was his wife Peggy, who he met in 1988 in Denali National Park. They were married at Holy Family Cathedral in Anchorage and were a successful team both in the field and in business. Johnny is survived by his partner of 37 years, Peggy Johnson and his brother, James Johnson, nephew, John Faletto, nieces, Jennifer Faletto and Kara Knodel and brother-in-law Andy Faletto along with many other cherished family members.

Johnny didn’t like good-byes he’d always say, “See you downriver.”

A Funeral Mass will be on July 21st at 2:00 pm (Rosary 1:30pm) at Holy Family Catholic Church at 811 West 6th Avenue Anchorage AK 99501. A reception will be held immediately following Mass at the Holy Family Education Center. All are welcome.