Thomas Lem Lemuel Johns

Thomas Lemuel “Lem” Johns, age 88, passed away peacefully the afternoon of Saturday, May 10, 2014.   Lem was the son of Dr. Lemuel Jefferson Johns and Mattie Lucille Creel.  He was born in Birmingham, Alabama and grew up in Norwood and Roebuck .   Lem attended Woodlawn High School, was a member of the Woodlawn Hall of Fame and graduated in 1943.  He served in World War II as an Aviation Cadet with the U.S. Naval Air Corps from 1943 to 1947.   Lem attended the University of Alabama where he studied law, was a member of the Delta Chi Fraternity, and met Nita Parker, the love of his life and eventual wife.  He joined the City of Birmingham and served as a firefighter until 1950, when he returned to Howard College (now Samford University) where he graduated with a Bachelor of Science Degree.  After graduating from college, he joined the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) as a criminal investigator in 1952, where he was a force to be reckoned with during the moonshine era.  In 1954, Lem joined the U.S. Secret Service and served in the Birmingham, Atlanta, and Chicago offices.  He served in the White House during the last two years of President Eisenhower’s term and then with President Nixon.  He served as the Assistant to the Special Agent in Charge on Vice President’s Lyndon Johnson’s detail and was in Dallas on the fateful day in history when President Kennedy was shot.  He is seen in the famous photo of President Johnson being sworn in on Air Force One, directly behind Mrs. Kennedy. In 1965, Lem became Special Agent in Charge of the Presidential Protective Division, also known as the President’s Detail.  In 1967, he became the Assistant Director of Protective Forces where he implemented and oversaw improvements to the Secret Service.  Lem was known in the Secret Service for his “get things done” mentality.  In 1969, Lem moved back to Birmingham, to be near family, where he became the Special Agent in Charge of the Birmingham Field Office.  Lem remained in this position until he retired in 1976.  He was a legend in Secret Service lore and was followed in the Service by his son Jeff, who protected President’s Ford, Carter and Reagan and now by his grandson, Michael, who has protected President’s Bush and Obama.  After retiring from the USSS, Lem went on to serve as the Executive Officer and Special Assistant to Secretary of Health, Education and Welfare, Joseph Califano, from 1977-1980. Lem and Nita lived in the Inverness community where he was instrumental in spearheading the formation of the Shelby Co. Salvation Army.  Lem was also active in the Veterans of WWII group and the Woodlawn High School Alumni group.  He has received many awards over his career, both in the Secret Service and private sector.  He was a much sought after speaker for many groups in both the Jefferson County and Shelby County areas.  He was active in his Veterans of WWII group and always stood proudly on their Veterans Day float in the Birmingham parade.  He and Nita were active in the Woodlawn High School Alumni group and never failed to miss a luncheon. All who met Lem would describe him as a true gentleman. He treated everyone with respect and dignity no matter their race, gender, occupation or education.  He was kind, caring, loving, generous, and honorable to all.  He stood boldly for what is just and right with the full shield of God’s grace at his side.  He gave to those in need and felt that it was his privilege and honor to speak for those with no voice or resources.  His sense of duty was deep, clear, and forthright. Lem is survived by his wife of 67 years, Nita Parker Johns, one son, Joseph Jefferson Johns, 3 grandchildren, Michael, Jill, and Brent, 5 great grandchildren, and a host of loving nieces and nephews. Visitation will be Tuesday, May 13 at Johns-Ridout’s Elmwood Chapel from 5:30 – 7:30PM.  The memorial service will be Wednesday, May 14 at 11:00AM at the Elmwood Chapel followed by burial in Elmwood Cemetery.  The family has requested that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the Wounded Warrior Project.  Donations can be mailed to Wounded Warrior Project ,  P.O. Box 758517,  Topeka, Kansas 66675 or made online at woundedwarriorproject.org.