Edward Herman Johnson, Jr.

Lieutenant Colonel Edward Herman Johnson Jr., a resident of Ocala, Florida passed away on September 5, 2025. 

Ed graduated with a BA from the University of Massachusetts (Amherst), and an MA (plus 38 additional credits) from Florida State University. 

Serving in three combat tours, from 1962-1963, 1966-1967 and 1971-1973, his military career spanned almost a quarter century. He demonstrated his courage and skill as a military pilot and combat veteran. Some of Ed's more significant military assignments were unit commander (1962-1973) and operations officer (1966-67) in Vietnam, project officer on aircraft performance parameters and aviation force structures for a combat development command, and senior aviation advisor to the Royal Thai Army. 

Ed received many awards throughout his military career: the Silver Star for Gallantry, 3 Distinguished Flying Crosses for Heroism, the Bronze Star, 2 Meritorious Service Medals, 32 Air Medals (3 for Valor), Defense Commendation Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry, Royal Thai Army Honor Class Aviator Badge, and a variety of campaign/theater medals. 

As a master army aviator, Ed was a standardization instructor pilot for both airplanes and helicopters. He has an airplane multi-engine rating, airplane and helicopter instrument ratings, and gunnery instructor pilot rating. 

As a civilian, Ed worked in the radio frequency/microwave component and device industry for 28 years, specializing in economic and marketing analysis as the Associate Editor of Microwave Journal . In "retirement," Ed gave tirelessly of himself and his resources to the Ocala community. He served on the Central Florida Community College Foundation Board, the Public Safety Commission as member and chair, the Historical Ocala Preservation Board, Save the Appleton committee, the Appleton Advisory Council, Central Florida Symphony Orchestra committee and chaired the Laurel Run Homeowners Association. He had been on the Munroe Regional Medical Center (Advent Health) Board of Trustees since 2003, serving as chair from 2006-2007. He then chaired the hospital's Board of Directors from January 2007 to June 2009. He remained on both of these boards until 2011 and on the Executive Committee as immediate past chair. He also served on the Human Resources Committee, the Quality Committee, and is chairman of the Finance Committee from 2005-2007. 

Ed loved & adored his faithful dog, “Buddy”.  He asks that you donate to the rescue that saved his dog & brought him so much joy. 

W.A.N.D.A. CARES RESCUE 

3663 NE 175 street Rd 

Citra, Fl 32113 

Write "The Colonel" in the memo. 

The late Lieutenant Colonel Edward Herman Johnson Jr., will be laid to rest at Arlington National Cemetery with Full Military Honors at a date to be determined.