Thomas ‘Tom’ Aubrey Johnson Jr. | Times Georgian

At the young age of 14, Tom started flying planes, and grew up proudly serving his country with the United States Army and received the Silver Star and Distinguished Flying Cross during his service as a Vietnam helicopter pilot. He was a commander for VFW Post 7404 and an active member of Amvets Post 99 and the Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Association.

Tom was very successful in his life and was the founder of Vietnam Veterans of West Georgia and East Alabama; he was also the president of the Southeastern Chapter EASA. Tom was the author of “To the Limit,” an autobiography of him when he was in Vietnam. He was also the inventor of equipment that was key to the electric motor industry.

In addition to his parents, Thomas is preceded in death by his son, Joseph Franklin Johnson, and his daughter, Jennifer Lee Johnson; siblings, Sarah Parker Henderson, Geraldine Parker Siniard and Richard Houston Parker; fathers-in-law and mother-in-law, Remberl Lee McGaha, Edgert Thalen and Gladys Ruth Floyd McGaha Thalen.

Tom leaves behind his wife of 61 years, Patricia “Pat’ Johnson, his daughters, Cherylyn “Lyn” Johnson, and Lisa Diane Johnson; sister, Katherine Parker Gibbs; grandchildren, Thomas “TJ” W. Johnson, Kassia Lyn Carter, Autumn Grace Garcia, Nicholas Paul Janco, Chaise Dakota Isenhour, and Christian Devon Braswell; and one great-grandchild, Jupiter Ryan Rayburn.

A graveside service has been scheduled for Saturday, March 23, 2024 at 4 p.m. from the Mount Pleasant Baptist Church Cemetery with military honors presented by American Legion Post 143.

Family will receive friends on Friday, March 22, 2024 at…