Jeremy Lee Johnson

Jeremy L. Johnson, 43, left his earthly life and entered pain-free into the arms of Jesus on Sunday morning, November 3, 2024.  Jeremy was born in St. Petersburg, Florida, on Christmas Eve in 1980, to Donna Johnson and Kenneth Johnson Sr., who Jeremy called “his Superman.”

After meeting the love of his life, Kelly, in high school, Jeremy enlisted in the Air Force in 1998.  After boot camp in Texas, Jeremy served at Barksdale AFB in Louisiana and Spangdahlem AFB in Germany.  He served in both the Honor Guard and as an Anti-Terrorism Officer.  He was deployed multiple times to Yemen, Iraq, and Saudi Arabia.  It was during one of these deployments that Jeremy was badly injured, but he continued to serve by attending Airman Leadership School and served as a recruiter in Gainesville, Florida, where he committed to telling “the real story” of military service to all in North Central Florida who would listen.  He was named Recruiter of the Year and Airman of the Year.

As his injuries worsened, Jeremy was forced to leave active military service.  Like many others, Jeremy struggled to find his purpose in a civilian world.  He always “bled blue” in his love and devotion to the Air Force.  Until his last day on earth, he proclaimed his love of serving his country and swore he would do it all again if he could.

As much as Jeremy loved the Air Force, the military couldn’t hold a candle to the love he felt and exhibited for his family.  Jeremy and Kelly married on December 22, 2001, two days before his twenty-first birthday.  His son Tristan was born while they were in Germany, and Aiden was born during their time in Gainesville.  His boys were his pride and joy.  He knew his fatherly mission was near completion once both his sons graduated from high school and enrolled in Ogeechee Tech, one studying auto mechanics and one studying computer technology.  As Jeremy required more hands-on care, Kelly was honored to become his nurse and caretaker, as well as his best friend and forever partner.  After their military service, the family moved to Newberry, Florida, and eventually found Jeremy’s dream home on a wooded paradise in Metter, Georgia.  As luck would have it, they moved in next door to another Air Force veteran, Jesse Pomeroy and his wife Joanne, further confirming they were right where they wanted to be.  To complete the dream, Jeremy’s mother, Donna purchased a home next door to Jeremy, Kelly, and the kids two years ago.  They attended Grace Community Church, where the family anchored the back row along with Jeremy’s faithful companions, Owen and Josey.

Throughout Jeremy’s illness and injuries, he was accompanied by two service dogs.  His first, Owen is a black lab.  Owen retired after 10 years of service but remains with the family.  His current dog, Josey, is a yellow lab.  Owen and Josey enhanced Jeremy’s life and allowed him to function much better.  Jeremy no longer struggles with pain, anxiety, and fear, but is strong, healthy, and happy to be with Jesus and his Superman.

Left to cherish Jeremy’s legacy and the memories they share are his loving wife, Kelly; his sons, Tristan and Aiden; his mother, Donna; his brother, Kenneth Johnson Jr., his wife Angela, and their children, Hunter, Drew, and Kaylynn; his mother and father-in-law, Bill and Corinne Lancaster; and sister-in-law, Tracy Cohn and her children, Shawn and Hannah.

Graveside services will be Friday, November 15, 2024, at 10 a.m. at Veteran’s Cemetery in Glennville, Georgia.  Visitation will be Thursday, November 14, 2024, from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Kennedy Funeral Home in Metter, Georgia.

In lieu of flowers, please donate to Dogs, Inc (formerly Southeastern Guide Dogs) ATTN:  Veteran Service Dogs, 4210 77th Street East, Palmetto, FL  34221.

Kennedy Funeral Homes, Hooks Chapel, are in charge of the arrangements.