Col. Melford Michael Johnson

Melford (Mel) was born on August 14, 1943, in Pineville, Louisiana to loving parents, Charley and Juvella Johnson. His family made their way to Los Angeles, California in 1945 and settled into a close-nit community where Mel continued to grow in his Catholic faith, by serving as an altar boy with his brother Melvin.

Mel graduated from Loyola High School in 1961 and enlisted in the United States Marine Corps in 1963. After completion of the Marine Cadet Naval Flight Officer Program in 1965, he was commissioned a Second Lieutenant and began flying the F-4 Phantom. He served two tours in the Vietnam War, where he flew 650 combat missions. Mel served in numerous billets in eight squadrons over his career and concluded his F-4 flying career as the Commanding Officer of VMFA-212.

Throughout his long career, Mel embodied the Marine Corps motto, “Semper Fidelis” of Always being Faithful to God, Family, and Country. He was a genuine and respected leader who had a unique ability to connect with people, leaving an indelible mark on everyone he met.

Mel was an avid runner, who enjoyed competing in several 10-K races, and marathons. In his later years, he found joy in walking his beagles with a cup of coffee.

Beyond the uniform, Mel found solace and strength in his Catholic faith. The deep spiritual conviction of Mel and his wife Faye guided their family through the challenges of military life.

Mel and Faye shared 50 wonderful years of marriage together prior to her passing in 2017. They became residents of Tallahassee in 1994 where he completed his Marine Corps career as the Commanding Officer and Professor of Naval Science with the Naval ROTC Unit, at Florida A&M University.

After retiring from the Marine Corps, he became an active parishioner at the Co-Cathedral of St. Thomas More Catholic Church. Most days you would find him attending 7:00am daily mass, with his Breviary in hand, faithfully praying the Liturgy of the Hours.

Mel was preceded in death by his wife of 50 years, Faye Johnson, his parents, Charley and Juvella Johnson, and Brother-in-law Spencer Simpson. He is survived by his loving family, including his children: Dean Johnson, Leslie and Jason Werner, and grandchild, Kendra Johnson, and his brothers and sisters: Melvin and Chris Johnson, Renee Dupre, Michael and Kathleen Johnson, and his nieces and nephew: Deana Galloway, Suzanne and Bill Selby, Monique and Andy Sousa, Laynie Johnson, Patrice Johnson, Brandon Johnson, Kimberly Carter, and Stephanie Patterson.

A Catholic funeral Mass to celebrate Mel’s life will be held on January 16, 2024, at the Co-Cathedral of St. Thomas More Catholic Church at 9:00am, with reception to follow. Burial will follow at 1:00pm at the Tallahassee National Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Open Door Women’s Clinic, on their website: https://donateodwc.com/ or by mail to PO Box 14269

Tallahassee, FL 32317, In Honor of Mel Johnson.

As we bid farewell to a devoted Marine, Faithful Catholic, Beloved Friend, Son, Brother, Uncle, Husband, Father, and “Papa”, May the perpetual light shine upon him and may his soul and all the souls of the faithful departed through the mercy of God rest in peace.