Theodore Johnson

Theodore Johnson was born on May 24, 1923 in Michigan City, Indiana and died on July 29, 2015 at his home in Gulfport, Mississippi. He was married to Dolores Kintzele Johnson for fifty nine years, and she was the love of his life and best friend. Ted, as his friends knew him, was a combat veteran of World War II and the Korean War, and he retired from the US Air Force in 1964 after over twenty years of military service. He earned the Distinguished Flying Cross with one bronze Oak Leaf Cluster, the Air Medal with three bronze Oak Leaf Clusters. As a flight crew radio man in World War II he flew the “Hump”, a dangerous and often attacked air route over the Himalayas between India and China. He had a total of 856 flight hours over the Hump. After retiring from the Air Force in 1964 with over twenty years of military service, Ted then taught Air Traffic Radar Control at Keesler AFB for twenty two years. In 1986 Ted retired with over 42 years of military and civilian service to the United States of America. Ted and Dolores made incredible sacrifices during their lives so all of their children, grandchildren and great grandchildren could attend college. Ted’s father, Alfred Johnson, came from Sweden through Ellis Island in 1910 to begin the American Dream of a free and prosperous life. Ted stayed physically active his whole life and lived a wonderful and long life. He loved his wife, family and country, and this legacy will live on in his family. He was a member of Bethel Lutheran Church and had many friends there. He was proceeded in death by his wife, Dolores. He is survived by his children-Theodore Alfred Johnson, Sally Johnson Costley, Dr. Patricia Johnson (Sherman Graber) and Mark Paul Johnson (Kim). Grandchildren- Stefanie Johnson Walley (John), Theodore Alfred Johnson Jr. (Ashley), Kristen Johnson Balius (Don), Grace Dine Johnson and Bridgette Ivel Johnson. Great-Grandchildren- Gavin Joseph Bourgeois, Bella Dolores Balius, Olivia Townley Johnson and Owen Theodore Johnson. Visitation will be on Thursday, August 6 at 12:30 pm at Bradford-O’Keefe Funeral Home at 2511 Pass Road in Biloxi, and the memorial service will begin at 1:30 pm. Burial immediately following the memorial service at Biloxi National Cemetery. In lieu of flowers the family asks that donations be made to the National Parkinson Foundation. Friends may view and sign online register book at www.bradfordokeefe.com