Thomas LeRoy Johnson

JOHNSON ELBERTA, ALABAMA Dr. Thomas (Tom) LeRoy Johnson, 85, of Elberta, Alabama, died Thursday, May 17, 2018, at his home with his wife Judy, children, grandchildren, and great granddaughter at his side.  Tom was born on March 26, 1933 in Seattle, Washington.  He attended the University of Washington and graduated with a B.S. in Business Administration in 1956.  He served in the U.S. Air Force for twenty-seven years, including four tours in Vietnam.  Tom was a radar navigator on B-52 combat missions over Vietnam including the battle of Khe Sanh.  He was a special guest and keynote speaker at the November, 2014 Khe Sanh reunion.  By the time of his retirement from the military, Tom achieved the rank of full colonel.  Tom received his Doctor of Arts in Computer Science from Nova University in 1988 and taught for sixteen years as a college professor at the University of Maryland and University of Mobile.  He and his wife Judy enjoyed traveling to many exotic destinations throughout the world.  Early this year Tom published his first book, “Skid Row Kid,” an autobiography and in-depth look at the life of a young boy trying to survive on the streets of Seattle during the World War II Era.  Tom is survived by his wife of 49 years, Judith A. Johnson, his sons Thomas L. Johnson Jr. and Eric A. Johnson, his daughters Karen L. Joinson and Laura Anna Jones, his grandchildren Sarah Valdes, Jason T. Paine, Daniel T. Pate, Benjamin C. Johnson, Andrew C. Johnson, and Emily A. Johnson, and his great granddaughter Senna L. Johnson.  Tom will be laid to rest in Arlington Cemetery.  The family urges readers to support the Wounded Warriors.  ARRANGEMENTS BYWOLFE-BAYVIEWFUNERAL HOMES& CREMATORY, INC.2551 SOUTH MCKENZIE ST.FOLEY, AL 36535251-943-2391www.wolfefuneralhomes.com