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Tallahassee's 'Airport Ambassador' Retires

Tom Flanigan

One of the most familiar faces for departing passengers at Tallahassee’s airport over the past quarter-century is flying off to a well-deserved retirement.

Two Tallahassee City Commissioners, Gil Ziffer and Curtis Richardson, had praise for Ervin “Mr. J” Johnson during his retirement party at the airport. That’s where Johnson as a skycap has greeted travelers checking in curbside since 1991.

“I know it’s certainly not the case for me, but I daresay there aren’t many of us who have met as many people as this young man has over those many years,” commented Ziffer.

“Serving of course in his official role that he got paid for, but also in his unofficial role as Tallahassee ambassador,” added Richardson.

And for Johnson, the party was a dual celebration. He marks his 80th birthday on Saturday, which is now officially “Ervin Johnson Day” in Tallahassee.

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Tom Flanigan has been with WFSU News since 2006, focusing on covering local personalities, issues, and organizations. He began his broadcast career more than 30 years before that and covered news for several radio stations in Florida, Texas, and his home state of Maryland.

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