Thomas Joseph Johnson

THOMAS JOSEPH JOHNSON Memorial mass services for lifelong Cortez resident, Thomas Joseph Johnson will be held at 10 a.m. on Thursday, September 11 at St. Margaret Mary Catholic Church. Reverend Pat Valdez, C.R. will be officiating. A rosary service will be at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, September 10 at the St. Margaret Mary Catholic Church. Tommy was born on July 26, 1922 in Denver, Colo. the son of Axel and Anna Clare (Rochford) Johnson. He passed away Sunday, September 7, 2014 at the Vista Grande Inn in Cortez at the age of 92. While attending Cortez High School, Tommy began working at the Montezuma-Valley Journal in 1939 and remained until his graduation in 1941. He went on to attend Fort Lewis College at Hesperus from September 1941 until May 1942. During his time at Fort Lewis Tommy played varsity football as End under Coach C.W. McLain. At the same time he was also the Editor of the Fort Lewis Collegian. Joining the Army in 1942 Tommy served as a Paratrooper in the 17th Airborne Division during World War II. After returning home he entered Regis College in Denver, Colo. He became the editor of the Regis College Ranger. Upon graduating in 1949 with an A.B. in History and Political Science, Tommy went back to work for the Montezuma-Valley Journal from 1949 until 1952. During this period on August 28, 1947 Tommy married Clara Mae Phillips. Recalled to service during the Korean Conflict, Tommy served with the 7th Division in Korea from 1952-1955. After being wounded in the Battle of Pork Chop Hill, the Army returned him to Fitzsimmons Army Hospital in Denver, Colo. Tommy was honorably discharged from the Army, then returned home where he owned the Dolores Star from 1955-1958. In 1956 he taught one semester at Fort Lewis College. He returned to the Montezuma Valley Journal as Editor in 1958 and remaining until his retirement. Always very active in his community, Tommy helped organize the National Guard Unit in Cortez. And during that time he was instrumental in helping get the National Guard Armory built. The hall in the armory is named in his honor. In 1982, Tommy retired from the National Guard and Army with the rank of Major. Many Civic groups were honored by his membership including; helping form the Montezuma County Historical Society; member and past president of the Mesa Verde Museum Association; Red Cross Assistant to servicemen and their families during Vietnam; in 1950 became a Charter member of the Cortez Elks Lodge B.P.O.E. #1789; American Legion; Knights of Columbus; St. Margaret Mary Catholic Church; Steering committee in 1976 "Old Campus Reunion"; and Vice President of the Fort Lewis Alumni Association. During his lifetime of community service, Tommy received many honors and awards including the Minute Man Award given by the Colorado National Guard; Editor of the Year given by the Department of Colorado and the American Legion; Honorary member of Manaugh School for Service; Booster Club and coaches award for service to high school athletics; Southwestern Stockmen for service to livestock industry; outstanding service on behalf of San Juan Basin Schools; Future Farmers of America, Cortez Chapter; Montezuma County 4-H Club; Army, Navy, Marine Corp and Air Force for service to their recruiters; Colorado State Patrol for service; Cortez Police Department for service; Thunderbird Speedway for dedication and service; Alumni of the year at Fort Lewis College; and in 1994 Tommy received the Cortez Newspapers' Citizen of the Year award. Surviving Tommy are his children, Theresa Maynes and husband, Byron of Mancos, and Thomas Johnson, Jr. and wife, Peggy of Dolores; his seven grandchildren, Aaron Maynes and wife, Angela, Kelly Maynes and wife, Kara, Sara Spencer and husband, Randy, Hallie Yoder and husband, Dave, Kammy Rogers and husband, Justin, Megan Johnson, and Christopher Johnson; and 21 great grandchildren and one great great grandchild. Preceding Tommy in death were his parents, Axel and Anna Johnson; his wife, Clara Mae (Phillips) Johnson; and his sister, Elizabeth Becher; and Eugene Johnson, whom he considered his relationship with, as essentially a brother. Memorial contributions can be made in Tommy Johnson's memory to St. Margaret Mary Catholic Church, 28 E. Montezuma, Cortez, Colo. 81321; or to the Wounded Warrior project at www.woundedwarriorproject.org.