More detail on this person: Clifford Edmund Johnson Jr. COLUMBUS GA United States Lt. Col. (Ret.) Clifford Edmund Johnson, Jr. March 15, 1923- December 2, 2005 COLUMBUS, GA- Lt. Col. (Ret) Clifford Edmund Johnson, Jr. 82, of Columbus, GA passed away on Friday December 2, 2005 following an extended illness. Funeral services with full military honors will be held 1:00 PM Monday December 5, 2005 at McMullen Funeral Home Chapel 3874 Gentian Blvd. Columbus, with Reverend Jimmy Duke officiating. A private interment will be held in Ft. Mitchell National Cemetery. Visitation will be held Sunday from 4-6 PM at the funeral home. Col. Johnson was born in Tacoma, WA on March 15, 1923 son of the late Clifford E. Johnson, Sr. and Tillie Dean Wohlforth. He joined the Army Air Corps from the University of Montana in 1944 and flew with the 62nd Troop Carrier group until his discharge in 1946. Called up from the Army Reserves in 1951, he flew 225 combat missions for the 25th Artillery Division during the Korean Conflict. In 1960, Col. Johnson started the OV-1 Mohawk training and gunnery program in Ft, Rucker, AL and in 1963, transferred to the 11th Air Assault Division at Ft. Benning, GA. He was later assigned to the 1st Infantry Division, overseeing the transportation of helicopters and Mohawks to Vung Tau, Vietnam, from which he flew throughout his tour. He retired at Fort Rucker, AL, in 1970 and spent 17 years flying for various local companies, lastly with Columbus Foundries. His life's passion was flying and he spent 48 years and logged over 19,600 hours in the air. During his retirement years he lovingly restored his 1969 SS396 Chevelle, winning many local and regional awards. He was an avid Atlanta Braves and Falcons fan. Col. Johnson was a member of St. Mark United Methodist Church. He was preceded in death by his parents and brother, Kenneth D. Johnson. Survivors include his wife, Loretta R. Johnson of Columbus; daughter and son-in-law, Dolly and Michael Sherman of Lawrenceville, GA; two stepsons and daughters-in-law, Jim and Liz Davis of Columbus, GA, Jack and Sara Jo Davis of Flowery Branch, GA, and one step-daughter and son-in-law, Rita and Mike Elza of Flowery Branch. Also surviving is grandson, Dustin Joiner, granddaughter, Nicole Conley, three step-granddaughters, Karen C. Green, Leslie D. Green, Sandie C. Murphy and beloved nieces, nephews, and extended family. In lieu of flowers the family request desire memorial gifts be made to the Columbus Hospice or the building fund of St. Mark United Methodist Church.
Burial information: Fort Mitchell National Cemetery, Fort Mitchell, AL
This information was last updated 01/08/2019
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Date posted on this site: 03/10/2024
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