John Thomas Johnson

June 11, 1931 - June 4, 2015

John Thomas Johnson, age 83, husband of Doris Jean Johnson, and a resident of Columbia, passed away Thursday, June 4, 2015 at NHC Columbia. A funeral service will be held on Sunday, June 7, 2015 at 2:00 PM at Heritage Funeral Home with Bro. Ronnie Parrish officiating. Burial will follow in Lynnwood Cemetery with military honors provided by the Herbert Griffin American Legion Post 19. A visitation will be held on Friday, June 5, 2015 from 4:00 - 8:00 PM as well as on Saturday, June 6, 2015 from 4:00 - 8:00 PM at Heritage Funeral Home. A Masonic service will be held on Sunday at the graveside service. Heritage Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements. A native of Columbia, John was born on June 11, 1931 and was the son of the late George Henry and Martha Louella Collins Johnson. He married the love of his life, Doris Jean Eichelberger, on September 9, 1950. He was a member of Highland Park Baptist Church and served his country in the United States Army during the Korean and Vietnam War. He was a Sergeant First Class and earned his good conduct medal with three clasps, the German Occupation Medal, and the American Defense Medal. John was a member of the Masonic Lodge 31 of Columbia since 1963. He previously worked as a police officer for the city of Columbia and was retired from the post office in Columbia where he worked for many years. He was an extremely talented man of many trades. He could do just about anything he put his mind to, including plumbing, farming, and electrical work. John enjoyed professional bowling and playing the guitar and was also a very talented artist. In addition to his wife, he is survived by his son: David Alan Johnson of Lynnville; daughters: Carol Denise (Joel S.) Land of Pulaski, Cindy Diane Tiller of Columbia; grandsons: Jerimy Kelley, Daniel Kelley, Shawn Johnson, Eric Johnson, Brad Johnson; granddaughters: Niccole Brengartner, Holly Vaage, Wendy Goodwin; and nineteen great-grandchildren. Along with his parents, he was preceded in death by his son, Larry Roger Johnson. Pallbearers will be Jerimy Kelley, Daniel Kelley, Shawn Johnson, Danny Brengartner, Jeff Goodwin, and Kevin Brengartner. Honorary pallbearers will be Brad Johnson, Eric Johnson, and his great-grandchildren. The family would like to extend a special thanks to NHC Columbia, John's niece, LouAnn, and Hospice Compassus.