Ward Johnson Obituary

Sgt. Ward Mark Johnson, IV, USMC CAMP PENDLETON, CA - While serving his country, Sgt. Ward Mark Johnson IV, United States Marine Corps, 29, stationed at Camp Pendleton, California and husband of Haley Lynn Vaughters Johnson, died as a result of a helicopter crash in Nepal on Tuesday, May 12, 2015. Born in Charleston, South Carolina, he was a son of Ward Mark Johnson III and Eva Aucoin Curtis. Mark grew up in Goose Creek where he graduated from Stratford High School in 2003. He graduated from Seminole State College of Florida where he earned two degrees. Mark enlisted in the Marine Corps on March 23, 2009, and served as a UH-1Y helicopter crew chief with Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 469, Marine Aircraft Group 39, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing at Camp Pendleton. Sgt. Johnson's deployments include 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Sahayogi Haat. His decorations include Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, Air Medal with Strike/Flight Numeral 5, Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal, Sea Service Deployment Ribbon with two bronze stars in lieu of third award, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation, Certificate of Commendation, NATO Medal and a Meritorious Mast. Mark was a man who was proud to serve his country and died while on a humanitarian mission in Nepal due to an earthquake. He enjoyed the beach, biking, camping, and, most importantly, spending time with his wife and two sons. Mark will always be missed and loved by his family and many life-long friends. Surviving are his wife, Haley Lynn Vaughters Johnson of Camp Pendleton, California; two sons, Nathan "Nate" Johnson and Noah Johnson of the home; his father, Ward Mark Johnson III and his wife, Shirley, of Altamonte Springs, Florida; his mother, Eva Aucoin Curtis and her husband, Jason B. Curtis, of Hyde Park, Utah; one sister, Jennifer Johnson of Ladson, South Carolina; one brother, Christopher Curtis of Hyde Park, Utah; two step-sisters, Mandy Sayre and her husband, Drew, and Melissa Bardwell and her husband, Steve, all of Orange City, Florida; one step-brother, PV2 Tyler J. Curtis, U. S. Army, stationed at Hunter Army Airfield in Savannah, Georgia; his maternal grandfather, Lawrence A. Aucoin of Ladson, South Carolina; many aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews, and his beloved dog, Max. A private funeral service, with full military honors, will be held in the chapel at Parris Island. Interment will be private. Remembrances: The Wingman Foundation - 1804 Garnet Ave #324, San Diego, California 92109 or 2010 Fisher House Foundation - Suite 420, 111 Rockville Pike, Rockville, Maryland 20850. Please share your thoughts about Mark and his life at www.copelandfuneralservice.com. Copeland Funeral Service of Beaufort is in charge of arrangements. Visit our guestbook at www.legacy.com/obituaries/ charleston