John Thomas Johnson, 71, died May 25, 2026 at Landmark Hospital after a lengthy illness. He was born in Moberly, Mo on August 23, 1954. His parents were James L Johnson of Pleasant Hill, Illinois and Patty Ruth Riley of Midway, Texas. John attended Hallsville, MO public schools. He graduated from Hallsville High School in 1973.

John joined the U.S. Navy in 1980. He served mainly on the aircraft carrier USS Midway, including deployment to the Middle East during the first Gulf War. He was honorably discharged after serving for more than 12 years. He moved to the Philippines after discharge, was married, and was engaged in commercial fishing. He returned to Columbia, MO after several years and began working for Brinks, Inc. as a messenger/guard. John was also a member of the Missouri National Guard unit based in Columbia. He retired in 2018.

John was a kind and generous person. He was easy going and had a fine sense of humor. He liked to listen to music and read. Some of his favorite bands were Jethro Tull and Little Feat. His political views leaned left, but he got along with all.

John is survived by brother Ron Johnson, Columbia, MO; sisters, Ruth Ann Meeks (Mike), Centralia, MO, and Jamie Mitchell (Maurice), Columbia, MO. Brother Donald R. Johnson died in 2021. There will be no services. Internment will be at Missouri State Veterans Cemetery, Jacksonville, MO. Home is the sailor, home from the sea.

Bach-Yager Funeral Chapel is honored to serve the Johnson Family.