THOMAS FRANKLIN JOHNSON SR.

Palmer resident Mr. Thomas F. Johnson Sr., 62, died peacefully in his sleep at home Sept. 23, 2003.

A graveside service with military honors will be held Monday at 2 p.m. at Fort Richardson National Cemetery.

Mr. Johnson was born Nov. 3, 1940, in Fairfield, Ala. He was raised in Bessemer, Ala.

Mr. Johnson joined the National Guard as a teen-ager and went on to serve four years in the United States Air Force.

Mr. Johnson became a resident of Alaska in 1959. He resided in Anchorage, Dillingham, Tanana, Fairbanks, Eagle River and Palmer.

He had been employed as a cab driver in Anchorage, a cook for Public Health Hospital in Kananak and Dillingham, and a dietary supervisor at the Public Health Service Hospital in Tanana. He worked as a warehouseman at Fort Wainwright in Fairbanks and was a civilian inspector at Fort Richardson in Anchorage.

He retired from civil service Sept. 30, 1988.

Mr. Johnson was a lifetime member of the National Rifle Association, National Muzzle Loading Rifle Association, Upper Susitna Shooters Association, McKinley Mountain Men, Alaska State Muzzle Loading Association and the Anchor Rams.

He was an avid shooter and he enjoyed taking pictures of his dogs and his family.

His family wrote, "Tom loved his Alabama football and he still believed the South really won the Civil War. He was looking forward to teaching his grandchildren sport shooting. He loved Alaska. He will be greatly missed."

Mr. Johnson is survived by his wife Corolyn Johnson; son Thomas Johnson Jr. of Anchorage; daughter Michelle Demaline of Palmer; sister Mrs. Sarah Johnson of Alabama; grandchildren Casey and Taylor of Alaska; extended family Rodney Reis of Palmer, Chris Martinez of Anchorage and Mr. and Mrs. Roger Larson of Anchorage.

Memorial donations may be made to Life Alaska Transplant, 1205 E. International Airport Road, Suite 103, Anchorage AK 99518, or to your local hospice.

Arrangements were made by Valley Funeral Home & Crematory in Wasilla.