Obituary

BATTLEBORO – Terry Richard Johnson, age 73, passed away on Thursday, September 26, 2024. Born in Onslow County, NC on November 25, 1950, he was the son of the late Lionel Walter Johnson and Vallie Mae Lancaster Burgess. He was also preceded in death by his brothers, Roy Johnson, and George Lionel Johnson.

Terry proudly served his Country with 21 years of honorable service in the United States Army. Serving in the Vietnam War, he was discharged and re-enlisted in 1981 and went to Ranger School. He jumped into Grenada in October 1983, earning his Master Parachutist Badge with Combat Distinction. He became a Jump Master and a Master Blaster. He also earned several medals, including the Meritorious Service Medal, the Army Commendation Medal (2nd award), the Army Achievement Medal (4th Award), Vietnam Service Medal, just to name a few. He was truly a well decorated and respected soldier. Terry retired from the United States Army in 1998 as a Sergeant First Class. Terry was also an active member of the American Legion Post 58 and was the co-founder of the Legion Riders.

Terry was a very devoted Christian and was an active member of Selma Church of Christ where he taught Bible classes. He attended church faithfully until his time of declining health. Terry enjoyed working in his garden where he had a wide variety of vegetables, including okra, tomatoes, corn, carrots, and his well-known running beans that were loved by his family. He could often be found enjoying listening to classic rock or bluegrass music, or woodworking. As you can see Terry was very versatile and multifaceted, a very talented man.

Terry is survived by his wife of 45 years, Olivia Harper Johnson; daughters, Amanda Clark, and husband Jay, of Battleboro, and Wendy Johnson, and Jim Smith, of North Franklin, CT; sons, Michael Paul Walker, and wife, Dee-Dee, of Rocky Mount, NC, and Noah Williams Walker, of Lizella, GA; grandchildren, Bethany Walker-Weberg, and fiancé, Oleg Ostapiv, Cassidy Crawford, Karley Crawford, and Rachel Fellner; sisters, Valerie Blanton, and Gail Truett Smith, and husband James; brother, David Burgess, and wife Margie; special friends, Ann Johnson, and Mark Bulluck; and his beloved canine companions, Milly and Peaches.

A Funeral Service will be held on Tuesday, October 1, 2024, at 2:00 PM at Johnson Funeral Home and Cremation Services, 661 English Road Rocky Mount, NC 27804 with Brother John Dupree officiating. Burial will follow the service at Rocky Mount Memorial Park. A visitation will be held from 1:00 PM to 1:45 PM prior to the service in the chapel of Johnson Funeral Home and Cremation Services.

Flowers are welcome or memorials may be made in Terry’s memory to Selma Church of Christ, PO Box 13 Selma, NC 27576.