MOUNT VERNON — Terry “TJ” Johnson, 61, of East Gambier Street, Mount Vernon, went to be with his Lord and Savior on Wednesday, April 15, 2009, at Riverside Methodist Hospital surrounded by his loving family.
He was born Sept. 26, 1947, in Portsmouth to the late Ralph and Ruth (Bloomfield) Johnson. Terry served in the U.S. Army with the 82nd Airborne during Vietnam and received the Bronze Star Medal. He was employed as an engineer for Embarq. Terry was a licensed official with the Ohio High School Athletic Association and officiated many local athletic events in Knox County. He was also licensed with the Licking County Umpires Association and spent many summer days umpiring at local ballparks. Terry coached for 10 years with the Mount Vernon High School junior varsity girls fast pitch team and coached many years in the Mount Vernon girls slow pitch softball league.
Terry was a member of the USBC bowling association, Colonial City Moose Lodge and Elks Lodge, both of Mount Vernon. He was an avid fan of golf and was a member of the Men’s Association at Hiawatha Golf Course. Terry played slow pitch softball for Marathon and Madcap. He was a founding member and served on the board of the Madcap Memorial Fund.
Terry was a passionate man and a devoted husband, father and grandfather. He is survived by his beloved wife of 35 years, Ruthie (Costello) Johnson; three daughters, Emily (James) Halsey of Pickerington, Sarah (Jacob) Scott of Columbus and Hannah (Skye) Edmister of Maryland; four grandchildren, Wyatt and Walker Halsey, Zoey and Allie Edmister; two brothers, Paul (Linda) Johnson and Michael (Jane) Johnson; four sisters, Rose Grayson, Lelia Alahmad, Jo Gartner and Lori Claudio; and his stepmother, Sally Johnson.
He was preceded in death by his parents.
Friends may call Monday from 1 to 3 and 6 to 8 p.m. at the Flowers-Snyder Funeral Home, 619 E. High St., Mount Vernon, OH 43050. A memorial service will be held at the funeral home on Tuesday at 10 a.m. with military honors provided by the Knox County Joint Veterans Council.
The family requests no flowers. Memorial contributions can be made to the Terry Johnson “Pay It Forward” Memorial Fund and can be left at the funeral home or deposited at any Knox County branch of First-Knox National Bank. This fund will be used to provide an AED (automated external defibulator) in places such as the bowling alley, local golf courses or city baseball and softball parks.
This obituary and guest registry are online at www.snyderfuneralhomes.com.
The Flowers-Snyder Funeral Home is honored to serve the family of Terry “TJ” Johnson.
