Thomas Carlyle Johnson

Thomas Carlyle Johnson, 80, went home on Wednesday, October 26, 2011. Carl was born in Clarendon County, SC to Sadie Mae Holladay and .Julian Sanders Johnson and had seven wonderful siblings. He was a retired TSGT from the USAF serving from 8 Nov. 1955 to 1 April 1978. He was first stationed in Charlestown, SC with Charlie Jordan for 2 years. After retiring from the Air Force, he was an electronics field technician at AAI Corp. in Baltimore, MD until retiring after 17 years. After retirement, he worked part-time in Newport News at Uncle Charlie’s Storage for two years.

Tom was preceded in death by his wife, Leah Joyce Johnson, and his sons, Thomas Carlyle Johnson, Jr. and Dale Alan Thibault, as well as a great-granddaughter, Cloe.

He is survived by his children, Donna Thibault Page, Eddy Johnson, Patty Johnson Gaskins, and Michelle “Misty” Johnson Hall; 12 grandchildren; and 10 and a half great-grandchildren. He had two loyal and loving dogs, Moses and Jazz Johnson.

A memorial celebration of Tom’s life will be held Monday, Nov. 7 at 6:30 p.m. at Aldersgate United Methodist Church, 151 Wythe Parkway, Hampton, VA 23669.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Aldersgate United Methodist Church in memory of Tom Johnson.

Tom and his family are truly grateful for all of the prayers and support offered by his current church family and those at Union UMC in SC. Tom enjoyed being a Sunday school teacher and helping the church throughout his life.

Daddy loved his family and never met a stranger. Being a Johnson meant “he lived to eat” not “ate to live” - Grandma’s pound cake, Mom’s lemon meringue pie, anything Donna made, and a family favorite, “Catfish Stew”, which took all day to prepare and sample to make sure it was just right.

When we were younger, he coached or supported us in baseball, softball, basketball, scout troops and gymnastics. He always encouraged us to be the best at whatever we did “not perfect,” but our personal best.

With six children we did not go on many vacations, but he found time to take us fishing, to stock car races, and to the state fairs as they came to town.

He worked several jobs to provide for his family. Once when he worked for McDonalds, he brought home shakes, pies, and burgers and since we did not get to go out to eat much this was a treat! When he got home he loved to have his hair brushed and would pay us a nickel or dime for 10 minutes (this was a big deal because candy only cost a penny).

My father was generous with all that he had. He taught us to respect others and when someone came to the house you knew to jump up if you were sitting down and offer your seat to the guest, as well as saying yes maim and yes sir, and to be kind.

He demonstrated his love for God and set examples; teaching us to be truthful, honest, and in my mother’s last years, a servant. He not only cooked, cleaned, managed finances, and kept up with all Mom's appointments, but he tucked her in bed and prayed the Lord’s Prayer with her each night. He counted this time in his life with mom as the “most precious” and was honored to care for her.

He was quick wined even in illness he’d say “take your time going, but hurry back.” All of the staff at Sentara Rehab took tremendous care of Daddy, he loved them dearly, and they would all say what a “sweetheart” he was.

My Father was not a master over anything, but he knew his Master, Lord, and Savior Jesus Christ, and the promise of an eternal home.

We are grateful for the Husband, Father, Grand and Great Grandfather he was to each of us. Our lives are better, full of wonderful memories, because of the gift of his time and talents, but mostly his Love!

Friends are encouraged to visit www.parklawn-woodfh.com to share memories and words of condolence with the family.

Arrangements are under the care of Parklawn-Wood Funeral Home, 2551 N. Armistead Avenue, Hampton, VA 23666.