On the morning of December 10, 2025, retired Sergeant First Class Jerry Lee Johnson peacefully transitioned from labor to reward.

Born on March 11, 1940, to the late Katherine Thomas and adopted by Pearlie and Ethel Johnson, Jerry accepted Chris at an early age and later in life became a member of Pleasant Grove Baptist Church in  Mechanicsville, Virginia.

He graduated from Crestwood High School in Chesapeake, Virginia in 1958 and promptly began his military service. Over the course of his distinguished 21-year career in the U.S. Army, he served in special forces and other elite units. As a combat soldier, he served in multiple combat missions around the globe. During his four-year term in Vietnam he was decorated in every major Airborne unit, earning a Medal of Valor from each unit. Jerry also earned a multitude of other service medals including the Purple Heart, the Silver Star, the Bronze Star, the Expedition Medal, the Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm, and the 82nd Distinguished Trooper Medal to name a few.

Following his honorable retirement from the military, Jerry worked for CSX Railroad.  Unsatisfied with traditional retirement, he provided private security to several organizations, enjoyed traveling with his wife, and spending time with family.

Jerry was preceded in death by his mother, Katherine, his adopted parents Pearlie and Ethel Johnson, his sons Jerry and Eric Johnson, and his sisters Mami Johnson and Essie Riddick.

He is survived by his wife of more than 30 years Grendolyn Wyatt Johnson, daughters Joyce Dunbar (Roy), Marcia Williams, son Phillip Johnson (Margaret), brothers Maurice and Michael Thomas as well as numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, one devoted, Earl Layell, and two devoted friends Willie Walker of Delaware and Spurgean Watson of North Carolina.

Jerry was recognized for his diverse talents and will be remembered for his dancing abilities, keen eye for fashion, and love for classy automobiles.