Aaron Johnson, 66, of Blackgum, said he loves living the simple, country life that Sequoyah County offers.

Growing up on Blackgum Mountain north of Vian, Johnson was raised cutting wood, hanging out with friends and family at Lake Tenkiller, walking Redbird Hollow near his home, watching Gunsmoke, and playing the drums for the Vian High School band.

“I should have graduated in 1977 from Vian High School,” Johnson said. “But I didn’t, I decided to join the Marines with some friends and my cousins, instead.”

Joining the military was a big change for Johnson, but growing up in the woods helped prepare him for what came next.

“While in the Marines, I was able to travel to Hawaii, Singapore, Austraila, Philippines, Africa and Hong Kong,” he remembers. “See places that I’d never seen before.”

Johnson said he went on to become a helicopter mechanic, work he did for the next four years.

“I then got trained to fight fuel fires before getting aboard the USS Belleauwood, staying on the ship for six months,” he said.

When he finished bootcamp, Johnson had earned the title of rifle sharpshooter with an M16.

“I only liked one point to making expert,” he said. “I had a cousin who was a little bit better, but I made the rank of corporal before I got out.”

He also went on to obtain his high school diploma in 1982, while still serving in the Marines.

He is the father of four boys, Matthew, Jeremiah, Luke and Zach. Johnson said he raised his boys with the help of his parents, Bennie and Alphia Johnson.

“I owe everything to my mom and dad,” he said. “My mom helped me raise my boys. I couldn’t have done it without her.”

He also had a halfbrother, Bobby Joe Winstead, who passed away in 2005, but he said he never considered him a half brother, just his brother.

After completing his military service, Johnson continued to work and tinker on heavy equipment before deciding to work as a truck driver.

In June 2009, he decided to take a position for Sequoyah County District 2 as a mechanic equipment operator for former County Commissioner Steve Carter, a job that he truly enjoys.

“I like the people that work there and I like being able to make the road better for our area; I take pride in it,” he said. “I also like being able to see and visit with a lot of the public.”

Johnson also helps dig and cover graves as part of his job, a duty that he takes gratification in.

“It’s an honor to cover them up at their final place of rest,” he said.

A proud member of the Cherokee Nation, he enjoys riding his Harley Davidson, lounging in his pool, and said he wants to get back to working on his favorite car, an Oldsmobile 442.

He said he also loves spending time with his beloved Rottweiller, Blade, who he considers his faithful sidekick.

Johnson said he plans on retiring in August so that he can continue to enjoy doing the things he loves most in the county.