Col. Gerald K. Johnson U.S. Army (Ret.)

JOHNSON GERALD KENNETH JOHNSON COL, USA (Ret.) 1943 - 2008 Director of Government Relations for AM General, died of a pulmonary embolism following routine elective surgery performed at Walter Reed Army Medical Center on Saturday, August 30, 2008. COL Johnson was predeceased by his father, Robert Johnson, formerly of Newark, NJ; his mother, Hazel Armstead Johnson Wallace and his stepfather, Harry Wallace, Sr., formerly of Miami FL. He is survived by his wife, C. Elisabeth Palmer Johnson; children, Gerald K. Johnson, Jr. (Ivy Kennelly) and Stephanie A. Johnson; granddaughter, Io; brothers, David Wallace (Danita) and Harry Wallace (Stephanie); aunts, Ethel Ware, Aplys Jarvis and Annie Armstead; sisters-in-law, Anne (Joseph) and Edna; nieces, nephews and a myriad of cousins including Gail Hankins (Orlando) and Dennis Armstead (Sandra). A resident of Miami, Florida, COL Johnson was born in Quincy, Florida. He received his undergraduate degree magna sum laude from Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ and his graduate degree from the Command and General Staff College, Leavenworth, KS. He was also a graduate of the SONS program of Harvard University, Boston MA. In addition to Command and General Staff College, COL Johnson also attended the Industrial College of the Armed Forces at Fort McNair, Washington DC. COL Johnson‘s distinguished military career spanned the period from the Vietnam conflict to the end of Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm. He was always most happy when he was with the troops: he commanded a Company during the Vietnam conflict, a Battalion at the United States Army Ordinance Center and School, APG MD and a Brigade during Operation Just Cause in Panama. His last military assignment was TRADOC System Manager (TSM) of the Combat Service Support Control System at Fort Lee VA. A published author, patent holder, and true Renaissance man, COL Johnson will forever be remembered for his profound love of GOD and his magnificent gift of giving; his generosity never ceased to amaze his family and friends. COL Johnson is best described as “absolute distinctness.” He was a loyal member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Psi Alpha Alpha Chapter, where he previously served as Chaplain and a Past President of the Crystal City-Pentagon Rotary Club. A loving giant of a man who never met a person he did not like, his passing has left a void which may never be filled. In lieu of flowers, expressions of sympathy may be sent in the name of Gerald K. Johnson to the Bernie L. Bates Foundation of the Psi Alpha Alpha chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc (http:// www.quespsiaa.org/content.aspx? ? page_id=22&club_id=997405&module_id=20250) or the Crystal City-Pentagon Rotary Club (http:// www.pentagonrotary.org ). Burial will be Tuesday, December 2, 1 p.m. at Ft. Myer Memorial Chapel, with interment with Full Military Honors immediately after at Arlington National Cemetery. Attendees are asked to be at the Ft. Myer Memorial Chapel by 12:45 p.m.