Claude Johnson

Mr. Claude Robert “Sarge” Johnson, age 83, of Tobaccoville passed away Tuesday, February 1, 2022 at Forsyth Medical Center. Mr. Johnson was born January 10, 1939 in Wilkes County to John and Janie Caudill Johnson. Mr. Johnson was a member of Little Stone Mountain Baptist Church and attended Church in the Wildwood where he was a member of Greenstreet Mountain Campground. He retired from the United States Army with 22 1/4 years of service. Mr. Johnson served during the Vietnam War and was a Purple Heart Recipient. He was a member of Pilot Mountain VFW Post 9436 and the American Legion. Mr. Johnson was an avid gardener; proud southerner, avid Republican, and proud to be a “lefty”. He possessed a large, selfless heart and never met a stranger. He was known for his extravagant Christmas light display. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brother, Zeb Johnson and his wife Margaret, Lester Johnson, Will Johnson and his wife Kathleen; sister, Pauline Walsh and her husband Gary; niece, Loretta McGrady; and special cat, Tinkerbell. Survivors include: his loving wife of 57 years, Lee Ann Johnson of the home; daughters, Brenda Ann Johnson of Cartersville, GA and Melissa Ann Deal and her husband Alex of Randleman; brothers, Sam Johnson and his wife Brenda, Hobart Johnson and his wife Linda, Larry Johnson and Walter Johnson; grandchildren, Chelsea Ann Smith and her husband Channon, Bethany Ann Hovis and her husband Michael, Trevor Deal and his wife Katie; great-grandchildren, Finnegan Maxwell Smith, Scarlett Rose Hovis, Bennett Deal; three more great-grandchildren on the way; several nieces and nephews; and very dear friend, Melissa Kirchner. A funeral service will be conducted Saturday, February 5, 2022 at 11:00 a.m. at Elkin Funeral Service Chapel with Rev. Walter Hutchinson and Rev. Elmer Barker officiating. Burial with full military honors provided by the United States Army Honor Guard and Pilot Mountain VFW Post 9436 in Little Stone Mountain Baptist Church Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 10:00 – 11:00 a.m. prior to the service at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be made to Tunnels to Towers Foundation, 2361 Hylan Boulevard, Staten Island, New York or Little Stone Mountain Baptist Church Cemetery Fund, 11985 Longbottom Rd, Traphill, NC 28685. The family would like to thank the staff of Forsyth Medical Center, ICU nurses, the Palliative Care Team; and Dr. Pat Stewart and team for their care.