Johnnie Mack NeSmith

LTC Johnnie Mack NeSmith, 70, of Papillion, Nebraska, passed away on August 9, 2026, following unexpected medical complications.  A devoted husband, father, grandfather, and Army veteran, Johnnie leaves behind a legacy of love, loyalty, and service to others. 

Born on March 25, 1956, in Alamogordo, New Mexico, he was the son of Hershel Earl and Dorothy McKay NeSmith. He grew up in a military household alongside sisters Judy and Diane, and cared for his twin brother, Mack.  His father, an Air Force Master Sergeant and Bronze Star recipient, died in 1972, when Johnnie was sixteen. 

Johnnie graduated from Trezevant High School in Memphis, TN. Upon receiving an ROTC Scholarship, he earned his bachelor’s degree from Loyola New Orleans in 1977. A lifelong learner and voracious reader, Johnnie excelled at his multiple military studies and also achieved an Executive MBA from the University of Memphis in 1985. 

He served 22 years in the United States Army as a logistics officer, reaching the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. During his time in service, he was a three-time recipient of the Meritorious Service Medal, awarded the Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Joint Meritorious Unit Award, Army of Occupation Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Army Lapel Button, three Overseas Service Ribbons, two Air Force Aerial Achievement Medals, Air Force Combat Readiness Medal, Aircraft Crewman Badge, and US Army Basic Recruiter Badge. Additionally, he was named Master Logistician for his teaching excellence at the Army’s Command and General Staff College. 

Following his Army active-duty retirement, Johnnie continued his career as a civilian contractor at Offutt Air Force Base. He served as Senior Functional Area Analyst for Modern Technologies; Command and Control Modernization Program Manager for US Strategic Command (USSTRATCOM); Change Manager for the 102nd Strategic Signal Battalion in Wiesbaden, Germany; and Information Technology Program Manager for US Strategic Command (USSTRATCOM) until his full retirement in January of 2020. 

While Johnnie was an effective, decisive, and successful military officer, he also was a devoted family man. While stationed in Memphis, TN, Johnnie met Laurie, and he did not waste any time deciding that she was “the one”.  They married within the year after meeting and remained devoted partners for 43 years. Together, they raised two children, Jenessa and Jacob, and Johnnie later took enormous pride in being "Gramps" to his granddaughter, Gemma. 

Johnnie led multiple choirs and music ministries wherever he was stationed around the globe, including 20+ years’ worth of services at St. Columbkille, where he enjoyed building an inclusive congregation centered around community.  He will be remembered for the legendary musical skill and prayerful passion he brought to 7:30 AM Sunday Mass. His music touched so many lives that he was warmly recognized by parishioners throughout the entire Omaha community.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Hershel and Dorothy NeSmith, and his beloved twin brother, Mack. 

He is survived by his wife, Laurie; his daughter, Jenessa (Cassie); his son, Jacob; his granddaughter, Gemma; his stepsisters Diane Eaton and Judy Lavoie; nieces Christina Brooks and Carmer Stevensen; many treasured friends, family and choirmates; as well as Bitsy, his rescue puppy who devotedly became his NCIS and westerns-watching partner. We will all strive to carry his memory forward. 

The family will receive friends on Wednesday, September 2, 2026, from 12:00 p.m. until the time of the memorial service at 1:00 p.m. at Kahler-Dolce Mortuary, 441 North Washington Street, Papillion, NE. Burial with military honors will follow at Omaha National Cemetery, 14250 Schram Road, Omaha, NE.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial donations be made to Army Emergency Relief (AER), an organization dedicated to providing vital, direct financial assistance, grants, emergency relief, and scholarships to active-duty soldiers, retirees, and their families. Contributions can be made securely online at www.armyemergencyrelief.org/donate or by mail to Army Emergency Relief, 2530 Crystal Drive, Suite 13161, Arlington, VA 22202. Please indicate that your gift is in memory of Johnnie NeSmith.

Johnnie was a man who loved deeply and practically. His goal was to help everyone recognize and nurture their innate talents and grow into their best possible self. 

Anyone who knew Johnnie knew his motto: not shy, and never late.

It is his family's greatest heartbreak that this time he left too early.

The family encourages those who knew Johnnie to share written remembrances, photographs, and “johnnie-isms” below, which will be compiled into a memorial keepsake book.