Dr. Charles Thomas (Tom) Johnson, husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, teacher, coach, Air Force officer, veterinarian, dedicated volunteer, and devoted friend, left us early on the morning of December 11, 2024.
Tom was born to Virgil and Hattie Belote Johnson on March 31, 1944, and spent his youth in Jacksonville, Arkansas, graduating from JHS in 1962. He attended Arkansas College, in Batesville, as a basketball player, graduating in 1966. By then, he had married his high school sweetheart, Judy, and they moved to Salem, Missouri, as educators. In Missouri, they welcomed their first child, Jimmy. Feeling a sense of obligation, he joined the United States Air Force, serving as a B-52 crewman. Daughters, Julie (Castle AFB, California) and Jill (Robins AFB, Georgia) joined the family while he was active military. Acting on a life-long goal, he left the Air Force to pursue veterinary medicine. He was accepted into LSU’s third class and received his DVM degree in 1979. While in Baton Rouge, the family welcomed their fourth child, Jenny. With his family complete and his dream of being a veterinarian fulfilled, he accepted a job at Goodwin Animal Hospital and the family moved to El Dorado. Tom loved making this town his home. He impacted this community in many ways, including serving as Board President of the Boys and Girls Club and volunteering for many, many years at St Paul Methodist’s Food Pantry. He was unofficially, but undeniably, the BEST El Dorado High School Wildcat Football Fan.
He was preceded in death by his parents and his brother Alton’s wife, Shirley. Tom is survived by his only sibling, Alton. In addition to his beloved wife Judy and his children, Jimmy (Tanya), Julie Nolan (John Paul), Jill Fussell (Stephen), and Jenny Kelly (Owen), Tom is also survived by his adored grandchildren: Hannah Faith Davis (Rhett), Daniel (Haley), Lanie and Kate Fussell, Maddy Nolan, and Lucy, Hattie, and Evie Paul. He was especially proud to welcome his first great-grandchild in 2023, Georgia Leigh Johnson.
The family will be available for visitation at St. Paul Methodist Church, 700 W. 8th Street, El Dorado, on December 23rd from 1:00-2:00 pm, followed by a Celebration of Life at 2:00 pm.
In lieu of flowers, Tom’s family asks that those who want to show support make donations to the Liberty Methodist Church to 4314 Ouachita County Rd. 2, Louann, AR 71751.
Online condolences may be expressed at www.youngsfuneralhome.com
