Mar 2024 – Thomas Samuel Johnson was born in Reidsville, Rockingham County, North Carolina. He enlisted in the United States Navy upon graduation from high school and reported to boot camp at Great Lakes, Illinois in July 1972. Upon graduation from boot camp, Seaman Recruit (E-1) Johnson reported for duty onboard the USS O’CALLAHAN (DE-1051) which was homeported in San Diego, California. He soon found himself deployed on a Western Pacific (WESTPAC) cruise where his ship made port calls in places Thomas had only heard of including Hawaii, Midway Island, Guam, Philippines, Hong Kong, and Vietnam. Upon his return to San Diego, Thomas earned a seat in Data Processing Technician (DP) Class “A” School. After graduation, Data Processing Seaman (DPSN) Johnson was assigned onboard the USS MILWAUKEE (AOR-2). Wanting more from life, Thomas applied for and was accepted to Johnson C. Smith University, Charlotte, NC. He transferred to the Naval Reserve where he served seven years while also working to attain his college degree. During that time, his active-duty assignments were with the 8th Naval Reserve Construction Regiment (NRCR) at Camp Lejeune, NC; the Naval Air Facility (NAF) in Washington, DC; and the Naval Intelligence Processing System Support Activity (NIPSSA) in Suitland, Maryland.

Thomas was honorably discharged in 1982. For his service to our great nation, he received the National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal w/Bronze Star, and Combat Action Ribbon.

He has been married to Doretha M. Johnson (nee Wilson) for thirty-seven years. They currently reside in Brighton, TN. They are the proud parents of two children: Evan Johnson (Brittany) of Summerville, South Carolina and Sara Johnson of Murfreesboro, TN. They are also the proud grandparents of granddaughter Eva.

Thomas received his Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Science from Johnson C. Smith University, Charlotte, NC and his Master of Arts degree in Christian Studies from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School, Deerfield, IL.

He is a licensed and ordained minister within the National Baptist Convention, USA, Inc. He currently serves as Assistant to the Pastor at Canaan Grove Baptist Church, Mason, TN. He has served in the Prince Hall Masons, NAACP, and Boy Scouts of America. He is currently a member of the American Legion Charles Porter Smith Post 237 and the Tipton County Veterans Council. He is also an active member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc.