John H. Johns

07/11/1928 - 10/18/2024

Brigadier General (Ret.) John H. Johns passed away peacefully, surrounded by family, on Friday, October 18, 2024, at the age of 96.
He was born in Cordova, Alabama 1928 to Emma and Henry Johns. John was the beloved middle child in a close-knit family, with older siblings Bruce and Imogene (Jeanie) and younger brother Charles.
A dedicated son, brother, husband, father, and grandfather. John's life was marked by a deep commitment to various social causes. Growing up during the Great Depression and witnessing times of social inequality greatly influenced his philosophies. Throughout his life, he tirelessly advocated for social justice and equal opportunity for all, leaving a lasting impact on those who had the pleasure of knowing him.
John's greatest joy of all was his family. While assigned as an instructor at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, he met Barbara Weathers Geoghegan, whom he married on April 5, 1969. He was devoted to Barbara, the widow of Lt. Jack Geoghegan, and embraced her daughter, Cammie, as his own. Over the next few years, the family expanded with the births of Bob and Barbara. During one of John's assignments at the Pentagon in the early 1970s, the family lived in Annandale, VA, before permanently settling in the Chapel Square neighborhood after he retired from active duty in 1978. The family has wonderful memories of the years in Chapel Square.
John adored his role as "Pop" to his grandchildren Stephanie and Julia. He was their biggest cheerleader and intensely proud of them, always eager to share their recent accomplishments. His guidance, love, and embodied values of kindness, perseverance, and integrity instilled in them the desire and ability to make positive changes in the world.
John was proud of his nearly 30 years of military service. He enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1947, then attended the University of Alabama on the G.I. Bill. Upon graduation, he was commissioned as an officer, eventually reaching the rank of Brigadier General, and was assigned Assistant Division Commander of the 1st Infantry Division. He was nonetheless steadfast in his opposition to military conflict except in very limited circumstances. He was also a vocal champion for ending torture of detainees in American custody, joining President Obama on his first day of office in 2009 to witness the signing of the ban. Similarly, he strongly advocated for global nuclear weapons disarmament.
As an academic and intellectual, John remained engaged in his education throughout his life. He had an economics and political science undergraduate degree from the University of Alabama. He then completed two years of law school at Alabama. He earned masters' degrees from Vanderbilt (psychology) and George Washington University (international affairs), as well as a Ph.D. from American University (sociology). He is also a graduate of the Army Command and General Staff College, The National War College, and the Industrial College of the Armed Forces.
He was ethical to his core, exhibiting integrity, honesty, fairness, and respect in his interactions with others and decision-making. He remained dedicated to these values and shared his passion for Ethics and the Constitution by leading multiple classes and seminars. Following his retirement from active duty, he taught at the National Defense University, Industrial College of the Armed Forces (ICAF), retiring from ICAF as the Dean of Faculty in 1996. He was passionate about his work as a professor and cherished his time with students at ICAF.
The family would like to express their deepest gratitude to the staff at Hermitage Deep Run in Richmond, VA, for their loving and attentive care of John and Barbara during their time at the facility. In addition to the Hermitage staff, Jarrett Pearce was their gifted physical therapist and devoted friend for over five years. The kindness and compassion shown by ALL made a significant difference in our lives. His beloved wife, Barbara, and brothers Bruce and Charles preceded him in death. He is survived by his four children: Cammie (Ray) Olson, Bob and Barbara Johns, and Sarah (Erwin) Woerner; granddaughters Stephanie and Julia Olson and Nadine (Holger) Wagner; great-grandchildren Alisa, Levin, and Finn Wagner; sister Imogene (Jeanie) and sister-in-law Karen.
A ceremony will be held at Arlington National Cemetery at a later date.