Larry Johnson

1941 - 2024

Larry Johnson
May 3, 2024
Colonel U.S. Army (Retired) Larry George Johnson of Windcrest, Texas passed away at the age of 82 at the Army Residence Community Health Care Center May 3, 2024.
Born in Minneapolis, Minnesota, he was the only child of Hedvig Dahlberg and George Leonard Johnson.
Larry grew up in Robbinsdale, Minnesota and graduated from Robbinsdale High School in 1959. He attended The University Of Minnesota and was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant, Medical Service Corps upon graduation.
After his initial assignment to the 5th Infantry Division at Fort Carson, CO where he served as a Platoon Leader and Executive Officer in the 5th Medical Battalion, Larry was posted to Vietnam. While serving as the Maintenance Officer and Assistant S4 of the 61st Medical Battalion and Maintenance Officer of the 8th Field Hospital, he met a young nurse from Warner Robins, GA First Lieutenant Mary Ann Dembowski. Larry returned to the United States, and was assigned as Department of Clinics Administration Officer at Munson Army Hospital, Fort Leavenworth, KS. In between postings, he and Mary Ann were married in the post chapel on Fort Ord, CA where she was stationed. He then transferred to Fort Sam Houston, TX serving as Chief, Training Support Branch, U.S. Army Medical Training Center. Larry then returned to Vietnam where he was Chief, Medical Material Management Branch, 32nd Medical Depot. Upon his return to the United States, Larry was assigned to Walter Reed Army Medical Center, Washington, DC as the Logistics Division New Facility Project Officer. His next assignment was as the Executive Officer, 1st Infantry Division, Fort Riley, KS. Larry returned to Fort Sam Houston serving as a systems design officer in the Directorate of Combat Development, Academy of Health Science. He then served as the Commander, 85th Combat Support Hospital, Fort Lee, VA. Larry's next assignment was as the Director of Readiness, U.S. Army Medical Material Agency, Fort Derrick, MD. Larry then went to Europe as the Deputy Commander for Operations, U.S. Army Medical Material Center, Europe and as Commander, 37th Medical Supply, Optical and Maintenance Battalion, Pirmasens, Germany. Larry was again selected for command as the Commander, U.S. Army Garrison and Fort Derrick, MD. In January, 1994 Larry assumed duty as the Chief of Staff, AMEDD Center and School, Fort Sam Houston, TX.
Larry's military education includes the Industrial College of the Armed Forces (Eisenhower School) and the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College.
After completing his military career in 1997, Larry was active in his community as a volunteer tax adviser for the VITA program and in the citizens patrol for the City of Windcrest, TX.
Larry is survived by his wife, Mary Ann; their 2 children, Karen Baker (Chris), and Kevin Johnson (Esther); and 3 grandsons Jack Baker, David Baker and Pau Johnson.
Per Larry's request there will be no immediate service held. He will be cremated and a celebration of his life held at a future date. Donations in Larry's memory can be made to the San Antonio Food Bank (safoodbank.org/donate)and KLRN San Antonio(pbs.klrn.org/donate),both organizations that Larry supported.
"The soldier above all others prays for peace, for it is the soldier who must suffer and bear the deepest wounds and scars of war" - Douglas MacArthur