Lawrence Nolan Johnson

Larry was born on March 5, 1943, to Lorraine Hebert and Wilford George Johnson Jr., in Bridgeport, Connecticut. He spent his youth playing Little League as a catcher for the Raybestos Cardinals in which they made it to the Little League World Series in Williamsport, PA. In Scouts, he reached the highest honor as an Eagle Scout and was also inducted into the Order of the Arrow.

After Larry graduated from Stratford High School in 1961, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy and served on the Alexander Hamilton and Sam Rayburn for his submarine service. He served for 6 years active duty and 14 years in the reserves. He retired as a chief petty officer along with being the president of the Tampa Bay Chief Petty Officer’s Club.

In 1969, Larry met Mona Lajoie at a Christmas party in Nashua, New Hampshire. Larry and Mona got married in 1970 and went on to have two children, Christopher Nolan, and Matthew Richard Johnson.

Once retired from the military, he went on to study at Northeastern University in Boston, where he received his associate’s degree and later went on to obtain his bachelor’s degree in computer science in 1986 at the University of South Florida.

Larry could be called “Crazy Larry,” “Coach,” “Chief,” “Dad,” or “Pepe” to those who knew him best. He spent his time golfing, bike riding, and watching and attending his favorite teams (Rays, Gators, Lightning, Navy, etc.) with his family and friends (trips to “The Swamp” being his favorite). He especially loved being involved as a coach or a Cubmaster for his children, grandchildren, and all their friends.

Larry was predeceased by his parents, loving sister, Carol, and his favorite furry friends, Sherry and Lou. He is survived by his brother Richard Harold Johnson, wife, Mona, his two children, Chris and Matt, their spouses Laura and Joan, and his four grandchildren Bryan Matthew, Lucia Isabella, Dean Christopher, and Matthew Christopher Johnson.

A gathering of friends and family will be held on Saturday, January 18th from 3pm - 4pm, with the service starting at 4pm, Serenity Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Tampa Bay Chief’s Petty Officer’s Association (TBCPOA), or Hospice, whom the family is so grateful for their care in Larry’s final days.