Ernest Johnson Obituary

Ernest P. Johnson CONWAY - Ernest P Johnson, Sr. 77, formerly of Conway, SC, an Army Korean War Veteran, a retired Naval Veteran, and retired Charleston Naval Shipyard Pipefitter, died of complications of pneumonia at Trident Hospital. Mr. Johnson started his career in the military in the Army, from 1950 - 1953. He served in the Army's Company F, 31st Infantry Regiment with a tour in Korean during the Korean War. He served in the Navy from 1954 - 1974, serving on various ships, USS Bowers, USS Lake Champlain, USS Joseph K. Taussig, USS Strong, USS Cone and USS Hammerberg as a Boiler Technician. While serving on the USS Lake Champlain, a World War II carrier, the ship transported Alan Sheppard back to the US from his historic trip into space. The while on the USS Strong, his ship supported US troops fighting in Vietnam from off the coast during the Vietnam War. During his career in the Army and Navy he was awarded many medals for his exceptional service to his country without reservation. He received the Good Conduct Medal - 4 times, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal with 2 stars, National Defense Service Medal with 2 stars , Korean Service Medal with 3 Bronze Star, Korean Defense Service Medal, Armed Forces Service Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal, United Nations Korean Service Medal, ROK Korean War Service Medal, Combat Action Medal, Combat Service Commemorative Medal, American Defense Commemorative Medal, Korean Presidential Unit Citation Medal, United Nations Military Service Medal, Republic of Vietnam Service Medal, 50th Anniversary Korean Commemorative Medal, Foreign Expeditionary Service Medal, Overseas Service Commemorative Medal, U.S. Army Commemorative Medal, U.S. Navy Commemorative Medal, Army Combat Infantry Badge, the U.S Navy Surface Warfare Badge, and the Honorable Service Commemorative Medal. Mr. Johnson retired from the U. S. Navy with an Honorable discharge. He continued working for the Navy, at Charleston Naval Shipyard, as a pipefitter until he retired in 1993. Mr. Johnson became a Mason, and then continued to become a York Rite Mason, his final became part of an organization that has hospitals that helps children, and he became a Shiner and was proud of his association with these organizations. Mr. Johnson was born December 12, 1931 in Conway, South Carolina, the great-grandson of a Cherokee Indian, son of the late Henry Phillip Johnson, Jr. and Sadie Edwards Johnson. He was preceded to the Lord's Table by his brother, David H. Johnson and sister, Thelma Johnson. Surviving half sisters Wanda Lewis and Irma Cook On February 23, 1951, he married Mary Winifred Causey, then after 52 years of marriage, on November 26, 2003, Winnie as she was known to her friends, also went to the Lord's Table, they are survived by their oldest son and his family; Ernest Paul Johnson, Jr., his wife Wanda Meree Johnson, granddaughter, Melissa Lynn Johnson, her husband Adam Johnson; grandson, Ernest Paul Johnson, III and his son (great-grandson) Tyler Kameron Johnson; and by his youngest son and his family, Alan Wayne Johnson, his wife Julia Maria Johnson and grandsons - Julian Kyle Johnson and Eric Alan Johnson. He later remarried to his second wife who after a little over a year died of heart disease and is survived by step-daughters Fran Johnson, Sarah Nail, Sandy Burloft and Peggy Romagnolo and their families. His last love and wife, Jean Johnson and his step-daughters Debbie Spell, Rosie Staley and step-son Mike Barton their families survive Mr. Johnson. In closing, Mr. Johnson enjoyed life and did what he could to show his kindness, to up lift those in need and to get a laugh or smile out of all whom came in contact with him the best way he could. Anyone who came to met Mr. Johnson left feeling better than when they first met. He enjoyed going to and helping at his church where he was a deacon at Ladson Baptist Church. He enjoyed his fellowship with his pastors, Rich Bello and Howard McGlamery. He leaves behind family and friends that will miss his smiles, words, laughter and love. The family will receive family and friends on Saturday, September 12, 2009, 6:00 to 8:00 p.m., at Carolina Memorial Funeral Home, 7113 Rivers Avenue, North Charleston, SC. His funeral will be on Sunday, September 13, 2009, 2 p.m., at Carolina Memorial Funeral Home Chapel. Interment will follow in Carolina Memorial Park. Flowers will be accepted or memorials can be made to Ladson Baptist Church, 3231 Ladson Road, Ladson, SC 29456. Arrangements are being handled by CAROLINA MEMORIAL PARK. Visit our guestbook at www.postandcourier.com/deaths