Mr. Blaine Jerome Johnson, Sr.

Blaine “Johnny” Johnson Sr., USAF MSgt (Ret.), of Blythewood, SC, passed away on Monday, June 23rd, 2025. Born in Aberdeen, South Dakota, he was the son of Fernnel and Gladys Johnson. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his former wife, Johanna Johnson. He is survived by his loving wife of 20 years, Maggie Johnson of Blythewood, SC; children, Gwen Mullins of Liberty, MO, JR Johnson of Derby, KS, Steven Johnson of Colorado Springs, CO, Monte Thompson of Great Falls, MT, and Kacie Carlson of Middletown, CT; and by many Grand & Great Grandchildren. MSgt Johnson joined the USAF upon high school graduation and chose to make it his career; he was deployed worldwide. In the 1960s, he was deployed to the US Taiwan Defense Command, becoming the Attaché to General Chiang Kai-Shek. He was also a member of the 554th Red Horse Division of Malmstrom Air Force Base, Great Falls, MT, serving as a Logistics Engineer while in Vietnam. He also served as Honor Guard for President Dwight D. Eisenhower. Johnny was a member of the American Legion, Post 6, and the Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter #303 in Columbia, SC, where he served as a Board Member as the Food Committee Chair, providing monthly lunches and the Annual Christmas Dinner. Johnny loved to volunteer, having served on the Fundraising Committees for the Fisher House of Columbia, SC, and Fisher House Charleston, SC, where he and Maggie prepared weekly meals for the house guests, which of course included BBQ. He was well known for his homemade bread and cinnamon rolls. Johnny also served as a volunteer for DORN VAMC and Wreaths Across America. Upon retiring from the USAF, Johnny became employed by UPS in Wichita, KS, as a Feeder Driver, working his way up to Loss/Prevention and Management positions, where he worked until his retirement of 20 years. Johnny was a member of Trinity United Methodist Church, Blythewood, SC. He was also a Kansas City Barbeque Society member. He enjoyed and was well known throughout the Midwest in the competition arena, winning several categories and serving on the judging panel. Johnny was a kindhearted and generous person with a wonderful sense of humor and was known for his pranks that would make everyone laugh. No matter the circumstances, Johnny always answered a question or ended a conversation with “wonderful”. So, in honor of our dear Johnny, we wish you a WONDERFUL day! In lieu of flowers, Johnny would request that donations be made to the Fisher House Charleston, Erik Zielinski (Manager), PO Box 1678, Charleston, SC 29402-1678, erik.zielinski@va.com, 843-805-8200. Shives Funeral Home, Trenholm Road Chapel, is assisting the family.

Tributes

Mr. Blaine Jerome Johnson, Sr.

June 12, 1937 - June 23, 2025