Johnnie V. Cloud

Johnnie V. Cloud passed away August 8, 2011. She was born November 19, 1919 in Bryan, Texas to Jesse and Oma Hargrove. Johnnie was a long time resident of San Antonio and member of Parkhills Baptist Church.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Col. Lester A. "Les" Cloud Jr.; brother, Waltereed Hargrove; sister, Omagene Hargrove and sister, Dorothy Butterfras.

She is survived by her sons, Stephen E. Cloud, James L. Cloud and their Wives; 6 grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren. Brothers: Harold, Jacko, and Jesse Gene Hargrove; Sisters: Carrie "Tootsie" Olson, Luann Campbell, their Husbands, Wives and their children, many nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be held Tuesday,August 16, 2011 from 6PM to 9PM at Sunset Funeral Home on Austin Hwy. Service will be held Wednesday, August 17, 2011 at 12PM at the funeral home. Interment with military honors will be at Ft. Sam Houston National Cementery at 1:30 PM.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Alzheimer's Research Association, www.alzheimers-research.org or Wreaths Across America, www.wreathsacrossamerica.org.

Johnnie's Story

The eldest of nine children, Johnnie was fondly called "sister" by her younger siblings. In her younger years the family migrated between the piney woods of East Texas and the coastal plain. Despite the many moves, Johnnie was an excellent student and graduated from Bay City High School. Attracted to a career in nursing, she moved to Houston, Texas and went to school. She trained at Jefferson Davis Hospital and became a surgical nurse.

At the start of World War II, volunteering as a group, she entered the Army Nurse Corps assigned to The University of Texas, Mobile Army Surgical Hospital "MASH" Unit. Shipped with her unit to England, they continued training until the invasion of Europe. Johnnie's U.T. Mash Unit was the first American hospital unit to land on Normandy beach. Stationed in various French locales, she served until the end of the war. The entire unit was reassigned back to Houston where they were formerly discharged. She continued her nursing career in Houston. There she met and married Lester A. Cloud Jr., an Army Air Corps veteran. Les was a Navigator/Bombardier who flew 25 missions over Italy from North Africa. The same bomber group, Heller's book "Catch 22" was based upon. Their first son, Stephen E. Cloud, was born in 1948.

At the onset of the Korean War, Les was recalled to active duty in the U.S. Air Force. They moved to Harlingen, Texas for advanced training. The family remained in the Valley until the end of the Korean conflict. Johnnie gave birth to her second son, James "Grizzly" Cloud, during their stay in Harlingen. Les decided to remain in the USAF after Korea and they became a military family.

The Air Force had entered the "Jet Age" accompanied with ever increasing electronic technology. Military flyers were required to keep pace, resulting in a higher than average transfer rate. Schools, training, TDY'S, and deployments created increased gaps in family unity. Johnnie became the glue that held them together. The majority of the time we moved and lived together. There were duty stations across the US, Germany and England, twice each. Isolated hardship stations, like Greenland, and SAC survival school, we were apart. Dad flew in planes from the RB-66 reconnaissance bombers to the B-52's of the Strategic Air Command. Johnnie always remained active. An accomplished bowler and bridge player. A member of the wives' clubs which provided service and charity work. She worked with Family Services which help military families with a variety of needs; temporary housing, linens, bedding, clothes, furniture, advice and counseling. She became a director of Family Services at the last few duty stations. Age and promotions took Dad from the flight line to command positions. Commander of the Officer Training School, Air Training Commands and Director of NATO Intelligence, 3rd Air Force Europe, stationed at the Embassy in London , England. Indirectly, Johnnie joined the Diplomatic Corps.

Les was a Full Bird for many years. They finally retired in 1975, after 33 years of service, to their beloved San Antonio. They bought a home in the Shady Oaks area, 281 and Brookhollow. Mom remained an avid bowler collecting a display case of trophies. She joined the Parkhills Baptist Church shortly after their move. She continued teaching Sunday school, became a member of the finance board, member of the Women's Missionary Union (WMU), and an instructor of the "Faith". Teaching former and current Deacons of the Church. Her belief gave comfort and guidance through her Husband's extended illness. Les passed in 1997 concluding a marriage of 47 years. Johnnie remained active physically, then mentally until her passing. She was our Role model and Hero. She will be greatly missed...

God Bless You, As You Blessed Us. Unto Jesus we deliver your hand.