CSM(Ret.) Theron "John" Johnson

Theron (John) Livingston Johnson passed away, at the age of 94 on 08/09/2026. Mr. Johnson died peacefully at home with family. Sonny, as he was nicknamed, is preceded in death by his parents, Joseph and Vera Johnson and his loving wife Gail Elizabeth Cooper Johnson, Sons Timothy Lee Johnson, and Roy Chester Johnson.

He is survived by his daughters Gail Ann Stokes of Windsor, Va and Susan Michele Johnson-Denney (Frank) of Aransas Pass, Tx. Daughter-in-law Brenda Johnson of Killeen, Tx. 5 grandchildren, 8 great-grandchildren, and 6 great-great grandchildren.

Theron was born in Tampa, Fl. in 1932, he later lived in Clearwater and St. Petersburg, Fl. with various relatives while his dad was overseas during WW2.

Theron has been a long-time resident of Killeen, being stationed at Fort Hood in 1962. Theron enlisted in the US Army in 1950 and was stationed in Fort Bragg, N.C. with 82nd Airborne Division. He took leave in 1950 and went home to St. Pete where he met a beautiful young girl with sparkly eyes and jet-black hair. Before returning to Fort Bragg, he asked this girl to be his wife. They were married in 1952 and celebrated 61 years together, and she is still an old soldier's sweetheart.

Johnson was assigned at Ft. Bragg SC, Ft. Benning Ga, and Ft Hood Tx, along with two tours to Germany and one tour in Korea. He served as Tank Commander, Platoon Sergeant, First Sergeant and Sergeant Major, as well as instructor at the 3RD Armored NCO Academy, the 4TH Army NCO Academy and ground mobility instructor at the infantry school at Ft. Benning. He was Honorary Regiment, Sergeant Major of the 37th Armored regiment, the 1st and 3rd battalion attachment with 1st Cav. and 1 /32nd Fort Hood, Texas and 1st and 4th battalion in Germany. Theron retired in November 1970, Headquarters Commandant Sergeant Major. Ill Corp Headquarters Fort Hood, Tx.

After working tirelessly with others to bring a Veterans cemetery to Killeen, he saw it come to fruition. In 2005 Theron volunteered

as a coordinator at the Central Texas Veterans Cemetery. He remained there for 8 years working alongside his wife Gail. His service was a great honor to continue to serve the veterans and their families long after his military career.

His home was a base for the Remember Me drive for our soldiers stationed in Vietnam. He was instrumental alongside his friend Joe Lombardi for the flagpole in Military Plaza as well as in Victory Corner, where he met every returning bus as the soldiers returned home from Desert Storm. He later worked for the Killeen Daily Herald as assistant pressman for 15 yrs.

In 1982, when Killeen celebrated its 100th birthday, Theron worked tirelessly to reach out to the founding family of Killeen. Colum Killeen, of Claremorris, Ireland the great-great-great nephew of Killeen founding Father Frank P. Killeen visited with Theron and the city, taking tours and getting a taste of Texas life. They remained friends his entire life.

In 1989 he was elected D.A.V. Commander of W.R. Hold Chapter 147 of Killeen. A position he held for 20 yrs.

After retirement, Theron became an avid ham radio operator, KA5ACT with the moniker, KA5 ALWAYS CALL TEXAS. He enjoyed spending the time talking to people from all over the world and relaying messages to those far and wide, and stepping in during disasters to assure loved ones the safety of their family.

He enjoyed many hours painting and woodworking, as well as a love for military model building and collecting. This is a hobby that started in the late 50's and continued throughout his life. He could be seen meeting and greeting fellow soldiers and retirees with Thank You for your service cards that he passed out diligently throughout restaurants, town shops and on base to all that he could shake hands with.

Theron was a soldier first, then a husband, then a father and he said he wouldn't have the latter without the first!

In closing, our father's last days were filled with jokes and quips, and humor, so we leave you with one of his favorite jokes. WHAT DO YOU CALL A DOG WITH NO LEGS?

Honorary pallbearers will be Randy Brumagin, Dirk Bland, Michael Crow, Phelisha Hiley, Steve Stephenson, Frank Denney.

Visitation will be held Tuesday, August 18, 2026 from 5 PM to 7 PM at Crawford-Bowers Funeral Home at 1615 S. Fort Hood St. Killeen, TX 76542. A funeral will be held Wednesday, August 19, 2026 at 9:30 AM also at Crawford-Bowers Funeral Home. Interment will follow at Central Texas State Veterans Cemetery at 11463 TX-195, Killeen, TX, 76542.