In Loving Memory
Psalm 23 The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures, he leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul, he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies, thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever. Services Entrusted To: Rogers and Breece Funeral Home 500 Ramsey Street Fayetteville, NC 28301 www.rogersandbreece.com
InLoving Memory
Retired Master Sgt.
Jerry Van Johnson
April 18, 1945 – February 23, 2017 Graveside Service 2 p.m. Thursday, March 2, 2017 Sandhills State Veterans Cemetery Chaplain Bill McCoy, Officiant
MSGT Jerry Van Johnson is a man like no other. A handsome man who knew how to do it all, Jerry kept himself busy and accomplished. Be it on Ft. Bragg during his 41 consecutive years with the Army and Nation Guard, sprucing up the yard, fixing one of the kid’s vehicles or giving our family home a new coat of paint. Jerry always had something on his to do list. Just remind him and he'd certainly have it done. From the moment he was born, in the house he grew up in on his family farm in Johnston County, he was up with the sun, always grinning, making his country breakfast and coffee. He wasted no time in the day. He grew up in the Presbyterian church, was a Sunday School graduate; participated in FFA, 4H, American Legion Boys; drove a school bus in high school; played baseball, basketball, ran track, and bowling - not to forget refereeing just about everything that would make him move. Jerry is survived by his 4 loving children: Danielé, Jerry Jr., LaKrista and Amanda; his cherished grandchildren: Darian, Jordan, Taurean, Aaron, Ravyn and Donovan; his daughter’s husbands: Toby (LaKrista) and Tim (Danielé); and his beloved cat, Casper. He believed his most important job in life was to take care of his kids. He spared no expense, insisting on doing it all and never wanting them to worry. Growing up he'd let his four babies pretend to shave with him, putting cream on their face to scrape off with the cap of his razor and putting Ice Blue Aqua Velva aftershave on their upper lips so they could always smell him.
The house was filled with the sounds of his old westerns, always his favorites - Clint Eastwood and John Wayne. He bonded with his kids over wrestling from the oldest of his down to the youngest of his grandkids. He was always the first to call on every holiday and birthday right at the crack of dawn while drinking his coffee. He made sure his kids and grandchildren all knew what to keep checked on their cars, how to drive, how to make an egg and grits - he taught his kids just about everything they know to keep his legacy alive. "If I tell you the huckleberries are ripe get your bucket and don't ask questions." He had the greatest sense of humor to ever grace God's green earth always with a story or a joke and food in his mouth. He maintained that he lost his middle finger on his left hand scarfing down banana pudding that was so good he didn't realize he bit his finger off until the whole batch was gone. "Waste not, want not." He made sure every bit of everything was eaten or used. A true American made biker - Jerry got his first motorcycle in the 1960s. He took a break from riding during his time in the military to raise his children then got the Harley Sportster he rode throughout his later years during retirement. He always rode that bike up to JB's to shag with his friends with the song "I Love This Bar" in his heart and a smile on his face. Jerry touched so many people with his love, humor, strength, character and loyalty. He vowed to meet his best friend, Kirk, at the gates of heaven, so they can ride together again. He is loved and cherished forever. We're so proud of you, Daddy.
Rev the engine and “Live Free”
InLoving Memory
Retired Master Sgt.
Jerry Van Johnson
April 18, 1945 – February 23, 2017 Graveside Service 2 p.m. Thursday, March 2, 2017 Sandhills State Veterans Cemetery Chaplain Bill McCoy, Officiant
MSGT Jerry Van Johnson is a man like no other. A handsome man who knew how to do it all, Jerry kept himself busy and accomplished. Be it on Ft. Bragg during his 41 consecutive years with the Army and Nation Guard, sprucing up the yard, fixing one of the kid’s vehicles or giving our family home a new coat of paint. Jerry always had something on his to do list. Just remind him and he'd certainly have it done. From the moment he was born, in the house he grew up in on his family farm in Johnston County, he was up with the sun, always grinning, making his country breakfast and coffee. He wasted no time in the day. He grew up in the Presbyterian church, was a Sunday School graduate; participated in FFA, 4H, American Legion Boys; drove a school bus in high school; played baseball, basketball, ran track, and bowling - not to forget refereeing just about everything that would make him move. Jerry is survived by his 4 loving children: Danielé, Jerry Jr., LaKrista and Amanda; his cherished grandchildren: Darian, Jordan, Taurean, Aaron, Ravyn and Donovan; his daughter’s husbands: Toby (LaKrista) and Tim (Danielé); and his beloved cat, Casper. He believed his most important job in life was to take care of his kids. He spared no expense, insisting on doing it all and never wanting them to worry. Growing up he'd let his four babies pretend to shave with him, putting cream on their face to scrape off with the cap of his razor and putting Ice Blue Aqua Velva aftershave on their upper lips so they could always smell him.
The house was filled with the sounds of his old westerns, always his favorites - Clint Eastwood and John Wayne. He bonded with his kids over wrestling from the oldest of his down to the youngest of his grandkids. He was always the first to call on every holiday and birthday right at the crack of dawn while drinking his coffee. He made sure his kids and grandchildren all knew what to keep checked on their cars, how to drive, how to make an egg and grits - he taught his kids just about everything they know to keep his legacy alive. "If I tell you the huckleberries are ripe get your bucket and don't ask questions." He had the greatest sense of humor to ever grace God's green earth always with a story or a joke and food in his mouth. He maintained that he lost his middle finger on his left hand scarfing down banana pudding that was so good he didn't realize he bit his finger off until the whole batch was gone. "Waste not, want not." He made sure every bit of everything was eaten or used. A true American made biker - Jerry got his first motorcycle in the 1960s. He took a break from riding during his time in the military to raise his children then got the Harley Sportster he rode throughout his later years during retirement. He always rode that bike up to JB's to shag with his friends with the song "I Love This Bar" in his heart and a smile on his face. Jerry touched so many people with his love, humor, strength, character and loyalty. He vowed to meet his best friend, Kirk, at the gates of heaven, so they can ride together again. He is loved and cherished forever. We're so proud of you, Daddy.
Rev the engine and “Live Free”
