Memorial service for Retired MSG Richard Gregory Johnson, 75 of Killeen, TX will be held Thursday, March 24, 2022, 11:00 a.m. at Westside Baptist Church in Killeen, Texas.

Inurnment with full military honors will be held on Friday, April 22, 2022, 3:00 p.m. at Central Texas State Veterans Cemetery in Killeen.

Mr. Johnson passed away March 12, 2022, in Killeen, TX. He was born January 22, 1947, in Austin, TX.

Services can be viewed via Youtube  - Westside Baptist Church Killeen TX

( Click on Westside Baptist church and it is the Live Sunday Service)
also Via Facebook- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t8364BL88nU

(Make sure you follow webpage, once you are following, click on watch now - Sunday Service)

Richard Johnson sure could talk some "smack"!  All the time and to everybody.  Friends and family all remember Richard as that person who brought joy and laughter to everyone he met – in the best of times and in the most challenging times.  Richard talked "smack"!

Born in Austin, Texas, Richard and his family moved to Compton, California when he was a young child.  There he grew up with his parents George Winfield Johnson and Edna Esther (Atwood)Johnson (deceased) and his siblings: Lula Bullock (Austin, Texas); Shelly Johnson (Paris, California); Vertis (Jimmey) Williams (Seattle, Washington); Hayward Lee Johnson (deceased); and Freddie Ruth Johnson (deceased).

Richard graduated from Compton High School and in 1974 he joined the United States Army.  Maybe somewhere there is a soldier who loved serving this country more than Richard. Maybe. . .. But if there is, that soldier has yet to be identified.  Richard was the epitome of a "soldiers" soldier. He was extremely loyal and dedicated to the rigors and the standards of the Armed Forces and held sacred his commitment to service of his country.  Over the course of twenty-four years Richard's duty stations included:  Fort Ord, California; Fort Monroe, Virginia; Fort Wainwright, Fairbanks, Alaska; The Old Guard, Fort Myer, Maryland; Schofield Barracks, Mililani, Hawaii; USAG Darmstadt Training Center, Darmstadt, Germany; U.S. Army Garrison, Wiesbaden, Germany; Fort Hood, Killeen, Texas.

Richard retired as Master Sargent (MSG- E8) with an Honorable Discharge in 1998.

Twilight and evening bell,

And after that the dark!

And may there be no sadness of farewell,

When I embark;

But wait. . .. .one week after his retirement from the United States Army, Richard declared that he was BORED!!!  And so, he accepted a civilian contract and worked an additional ten years on the base of Fort Hood, Texas.  Finally, in his later years, Richard found joy in working in the area of his passion – fitness and health!  Seven days a week, starting at 5:00am, Richard worked as a personal trainer at the Golds Gym!!

Not one to miss out on a moment of life, Richard filled his life with the things he loved and enjoyed.  Whether it was enjoying sports events at home or on site, spending time with family, friends, fellow retirees, eating (he did love to eat), cruising, traveling, or working out at the gym, Richard was all in . . . laughing and talking "smack"!  He loved being at home nearly as much as he loved going to Las Vegas!!!!

Richard always credited his church and his church family – his pastor and fellow church members – for keeping him grounded.  He was a faithful member of Westside Baptist Church in Killeen, Texas where he served as a greeter EVERY Sunday at the 8:00am service.

But his greatest loves and the source of his overwhelming pride was his family.  He was a dutiful son, caring for his mother throughout her life; a supportive role model for sons Derrick Lamonte' Johnson (Felicia), Richmond, Virginia; and Che' John-Henry Johnson (Prague, Czech Republic); and loving, doting grandfather to granddaughters: Kendall Collin Johnson and Makenzy Kay Madison Johnson (Richmond, Virginia); and Emma Jane Johnson and Stella Zofia Johnson (Prague, Czech Republic).  Richard was in heaven on earth when spending time, in the states or across the water, with his sons and his grandchildren.

Richard Greggory Johnson will be missed in so many ways by so many people.  In addition to his sons and their families, he leaves to cherish his memory Che's mother and his best friend for over 40 years Janette Booker Johnson; [Derrick's mother Deborah Ellis]; a very special friend and neighbor Alice Williams; and a host of nieces, cousins, friends, and clients.

For tho' from out our bourne of Time and Place

The flood may bear me far,

I hope to see my Pilot face to face

When I have crost the bar.

Alfred, Lord Tennyson