Karen Lee Johnson, of Camarillo, California, left us on Tuesday, January 2, 2013, while pursuing her life's passion: flying. Born in Murray, Kentucky on August 5, 1950 to Dolphus Phelps and Bernice Barnett Phelps, she moved to California at the age of eighteen.
Always kind, energetic, and gracious, Karen’s wit, elegant manner, and dedication to learning contributed to her success as a gifted editor, accomplished chef, highly trained helicopter pilot, and avid horsewoman.
Affiliated with several aviation-related organizations, Karen had previously served as Secretary for the Whirly-Girls and had held every position on the board of the Ventura County Ninety-Nines, where she was currently the Chair. In 2012 she was elected Ventura County Ninety-Nines’ Woman Pilot of the Year. Holding both rotorcraft and fixed-wing commercial certifications, and a multi-engine rating, she was employed as a co-pilot on a Cessna Citation CJ3 Jet and as a charter pilot for San Joaquin Helicopters. Always working toward a new goal, she was training to become an on-camera stunt pilot in the motion-picture industry. All told, she enjoyed 1,684 hours in the air, 1,275 in a helicopter and 409 in fixed-wing aircraft.
With an innate ability to identify and tap into people’s inner riches, Karen will always be a role model and hero to those she left behind.
Preceded in death by her father and her sister, Rose Phelps, Karen is survived by her beloved mother, brother Timothy Phelps, sister Shari Phelps, nephew Joshua Phelps and niece Jessica Phelps.
Over 200 friends and family attended a Celebration of Life for Karen at Camarillo Airport on January 13, 2013. They broke bread together, shared stories and memories in celebration of the life of their good friend Karen Johnson.
Several of her aviation friends paid tribute to Karen in three fly overs.
Fixed Wing Fly Over: Michael Knick flew the Citation CJ3 Jet (the one Karen flew); Jason Somes flew the CAF Bearcat; Steve McCartney flew the CAF Hellcat; Dave Cummings flew the ROW 44 Albatross; Barry Schiff flew the Cessna Skylane that Karen trained in; Judy Phelps flew her Pitts Special; and Norm Hall flew his RV-6.
Helicopter Fly Over: Jim Dalton and Kim Bergeson flew the Ventura County Sheriff Department Hueys; Skip Short flew his Hughes 500D; Vic Branstetter flew his Hughes 500N, Susan McWilliams flew her Robinson R22.
Missing Aviator Formation: Chuck Aaron flew the Red Bull Helicopter as flight lead, Slot 1; Jeff Cook flew his Bell 47 in slot 2; Steve Stafford flew his AS350B3-2B1 Helicopter, the one Karen flew in Slot 3 (Missing Aviator). Chris Joachims flew his Hughes 500D in Slot 4. Jim Magglos (Waypoint Owner), flew his Bell 206L LongRange, in Slot 5.