Lt. Col. Gove Johnson, Ret.

Born October 6, 1917 in Loch Arbour, NJ, he was the son of the late Louis and Rebekah (Compton) Johnson. Because of the Great Depression, Gove’s family moved to Rhinebeck, NY and operated a farm. He left Rhinebeck to join the U.S. Army in 1941. He served as Headquarter Commandant of the Third Armored Division in WWII and fought in the Battle of the Bulge. After multiple post war positions, he retired in 1962 at the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. Following his military career, he moved to Tampa, FL where he taught Industrial Arts classes at Monroe Junior High. He was a devoted teacher for 18 years from 1965-1983. The last several years of his life he made Virginia his home. He was a faithful member of Lyndhurst United Methodist Church. He enjoyed spending time with his family and woodworking.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by six siblings. Gove was the last surviving member of his immediate family.

Survivors include his loving wife of 64 years, Anna (Murray) Johnson of Lyndhurst, VA; children, Gove M. Johnson of Lyndhurst, VA, Gary C. Johnson and wife, Linda of Vesuvius, VA, Lynne A. Hess and husband, Tim of Staunton, VA, Marylou J. Zapf and husband, Lt. Col. Clifford Zapf, Ret. of Williamsburg, VA and Molly J. Holaway and husband, Robert of Huntsville, AL; nine grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

A Celebration of Life Service will be held at 11:00 AM on Monday, June 2 at Lyndhurst United Methodist Church with The Rev. Michael W. Pettry officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery with military honors by The Army Honor Guard of Ft. Lee, VA.

There will be no formal viewing or visitation at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Gove’s honor to the Disabled American Veterans, P.O. Box 14301, Cincinnati, OH 45250-0301.

Relatives and friends may share condolences and memories with the family online by visiting www.reynoldshamrickfuneralhomes.com

Arrangements under the direction of Reynolds Hamrick Funeral Homes Waynesboro Chapel, Waynesboro, VA.