Fallen Warriors

Samuel Johnson - Class Of 1970 VIEW PROFILE

   

Samuel Fletcher Johnson

    December 27, 2018

 

Life Legacy


Samuel Fletcher Johnson, 66, of Wintergreen, VA passed away on December 27, 2018. A native and long-time resident of Hampton, VA, he was the son of the late Irby Fletcher Johnson and Mary Louise Hoggard Johnson.

Sam graduated as an Atomic Power Designer from the Newport News Shipbuilding Apprentice School in 1975. While working at various engineering firms he had the opportunity to do interior design work on many US Navy surface ships and was able to travel the globe during ship design visits at domestic and international US Navy ports and on vessels-at-sea. One of these trips afforded Sam the opportunity to land on an aircraft carrier, the USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71) in support of Operation Enduring Freedom in 2002. Sam retired from Delphinus Engineering, Inc. as a Naval Designer in 2011.

Sam was proud to be a pitcher for the Kecoughtan High School baseball team (Class of ’70) and then the Apprentice School at the college level. He continued playing recreational baseball and softball as well as coaching little league for many years. During his lifetime Sam also enjoyed golf, surfcasting, camping and collecting nautical antiques and ships clocks in particular.

Sam was a fun-loving, kind and gentle man and a wonderful, devoted father and grandfather to his two sons and grandchildren. Sam is survived by two sons and daughters-in-law: Evan F. and Marcy Johnson of Wintergreen, VA and Ashley L. “AJ” and Amy Johnson of Hampton, VA; one granddaughter Amelia and one grandson Kyle both of Hampton, VA; sisters and brother-in-law Nan & Danny Jordan of Hampton, VA and Nicki Johnson of Duck, NC; nieces Holly Jordan of Midlothian, VA and Meg Dunton of Aurora, CO. He is also survived by a dear life-long friend, Pam Hale Johnson of Hampton, VA.

The family would like to thank the following for their service to Sam during his brave journey with early-onset Alzheimer’s Disease: attorneys Robert A. Small and Harold H. “Bart” Barton for their advice and advocacy, Brian West, his loyal buddy and care giver, and for the final weeks of Sam’s life, the caring staff at Rosewood Village at Greenbrier in Charlottesville, as well as Hospice of the Piedmont.

A Celebration of Life Service will be held on Saturday January 5, 2019 at R. Hayden Smith Funeral Home in Hampton, VA at 2PM. Friends may join the family for visitation immediately following the service. Condolences may be registered online at www.rhaydensmith.com. In lieu of flowers, the family recommends memorial donations to the Alzheimer’s Association at www.alz.org.

 



 

 



 
 



 
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12/29/18 08:21 PM #1    

Bonnie Bridger (Mittelmaier) (1969)

Well, although I was aware that Sam was afflicted with early onset Alzheimer's Disease, I did not expect this condition to advance as rapidly as it has.  Such a tragic loss.  Sam was just too young to go this way.  I remember him from KHS, a young person, full of life and fun and strength.  He leaves two great and strong sons that he shared with Pam Hale Johnson and grandchildren.  An enduring legacy.  Rest In Peace Sam.

Bonnie Bridger Mittelmaier '69


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