Thomas Johnson, Jr., was born July 4, 1938, in Avery County, NC to the late Tom and Stella Lewis Johnson.  He was the first born of 13 children.  He married Jean P. Johnson on June 27, 1959.  He started his lifelong dream job in 1963 and became a NC State Highway Patrolman.  After 30 years of service, he retired in 1992.  He then went to work part time for the Rutherford County Sheriff’s Department in the RUOK program.  He volunteered at Habitat for Humanity and for many years served on many non-profit boards.

He was a member of Pleasant Grove United Methodist Church where he taught Sunday School and sang in the choir.  He is a Past Master of the Forest City Masonic Lodge, No. 381 A.F.&A.M and Past President of the Fraternal Order of Police.   

Junior shared a loving marriage with Jean for 58 years until her passing in 2017. His loving family has remained close for all these years.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by Jack Johnson, Paul Johnson, Katy Hall and Eddie Johnson.

He is survived by his daughter, Kim Roberson (Andy) of Forest City, his son, Tony Johnson (Dan) of Charlotte, his grandchildren, Lareeca Johnson, and Josh Roberson, his great-grandchildren, Holly, Kaleb, Bethany, Paiten, and Riley Roberson, his brothers, Glenn Johnson, Larry Johnson, Roland Johnson, and Scottie Johnson, his sisters, Dorothy McLean, Clara Johnson, Pam Vaughn, and Comey Harris.  There are many nieces and nephews and his loving and constant companion, his dog, Raven.

He lived in a wonderful neighborhood that was close and helped each other.  They were great neighbors and great friends.

Junior was a friend to all he met and loved to help others.  He had many friends at the Rutherford County Senior Center and he loved them all.

Among his many friends were some special friends, Rick and Loujeana Parker, Marlin and David Matheny, Anne Bright, Barbara Hill, Sid and Gail Bailey and Sharon Shell.

Thank you to Medi Home Hospice for all the loving care that was given until he received his wings.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are requested to Rutherford County Senior Center Memorial Garden Project.

The funeral service will be held at 1 PM on Thursday, February 19, 2026, at Pleasant Grove United Methodist Church with the Reverend Keys Pendleton officiating.  Interment will follow in the church Cemetery.  The family will receive friends from 5 until 7 o’clock on Wednesday evening at Padgett and King Mortuary. The North Carolina Highway Patrol Honor Guard will post honors.

The Padgett and King Mortuary & Crematory is in charge of arrangements and an online guest registry is available at www.padgettking.com