More detail on this person: Colonel Albert
August Johnson, Jr., Retired
LAFAYETTE - Funeral services will be held
Thursday, November 21, 2013 at 3:00 pm at
Walters Funeral Home for Colonel Albert August
Johnson, Jr., who passed away on November 16,
2013 at his home in Scott, Louisiana at the age of
90. Father Gary Schexnayder, pastor of St.
Elizabeth Seton Chuch, will conduct the funeral
services. Colonel Johnson will be honored and laid
to rest during a military funeral with full honors
at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington,
Virginia, at a later date.
He was the beloved husband of Ruth Johnson for 18
years. He was preceded in death by his parents,
Albert A. Johnson, Sr. and Augusta Chauvet
Johnson. He was also preceded in death in 1991 by
his beloved wife, Miriam Hession Johnson, after 45
years of marriage. He is survived by a sister,
Rosalie Johnson Marcello. Loving father of Barbara
Fleming (Steve), Betty Becker (John) and Barry
Laiche (Michelle). He is the stepfather of Susan
Didier (Mel "Skip"), Troy Simmons (Christine),
Keith Simmons, and Marty Simmons (Simone).
Grandfather of Darrell Laiche, Stephen Laiche,
Cindy Schmidt, Leah Ladner, and Pam Fleming.
Step grandfather of April Winningham, Mallory
Simmons (Deceased), Sarah Simmons and Hannah
Simmons. Great grandfather of Taylor Laiche,
Brennen Albert Laiche, Barry "Brody" Laiche,
Miriam Camille Laiche, Lauren Laiche, Parrish
Laiche, Madison Laiche, William Schmidt, Brianna
Smith, Brooke Roach, Bryce Roach and Trent
Mihill. Step great grandfather of Corinne
Winningham and Caleb Winningham. He loved
spending time with his family and was also the
most helpful and caring person to his entire
family.
Al was born and raised in New Orleans. He was
very proud to be a career military officer in the
United States Army, Transportation Corp. He joined
the Army as a Private to serve in World War II and
he attained the rank of Colonel during his 35
years of loyal military service. He spent his
years in the military as a Master Army Aviator
flying helicopters and held many command posts.
He is a veteran of World War II, the Korean War
and Vietnam. Al was awarded numerous military
honors including the Silver Star, Legion of Merit,
Bronze Star, Meritorious Service Medal, Air Medal
with twelve Oak Leaf Clusters, Army Commendation
Medal with two Oak Leaf Clusters, Purple Heart in
1944 and 1964, and many more.
After his retirement from the military, Al moved
to Scott, Louisiana. He was employed by the City
of Lafayette, Public Works Department as the
Operations and Maintenance Manager for 14 years.
He was recognized as Employee of the Year by the
City of Lafayette for his outstanding service.
Al loved recreational vehicles and he and his
wife, Ruth, traveled to all the states in their RV
and he was an active member of the Cruisin Cajuns
RV Club. He was also very proud to be a life time
member of the Washington Artillery of New Orleans,
one of the oldest operating military units in the
nation.
The family requests that visitation be held
Thursday afternoon, from 12:00 - 3:00 pm. Memorial
contributions may be made in his name to Hospice
of Acadiana, Inc., 2600 Johnston St., Suite 200,
Lafayette, LA 70503 and the Washington Artillery
Veterans Association, P.O. Box 7584, Metairie, LA.
The family would like to recognize his wife, Ruth
Johnson, for the outstanding care and devotion she
showed in caring for her husband during his last
years and enabling him to remain in the comfort of
his home and to enjoy his lovely garden. A special
thanks also to Dr. Ken McCarron and his nurse,
Donna, for their exceptional medical care.
Words of condolence may be expressed at
waltersfh.com.
Walters Funeral Home, 2424 N. University Ave.,
Lafayette, LA 70507; (337) 706-8941 is in charge
of arrangements.
Published in the The Advertiser on Nov. 20, 2013
Burial information: Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, VA
This information was last updated 05/18/2016
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