Obituary Edward Eugene Johnson, Sr, October 5, 1922 – June 25, 2015

Edward Eugene Johnson, 92, of Galax, VA & Ocracoke, NC, passed away on June 25, 2015 in Galax.

Born on October 5, 1922 in Galax, Virginia, the son of Claude Swanson and Mary Matthews Johnson, Gene was raised in Kennett Square, PA, attended Washington College, and the Jefferson School of Medicine. During WWII Gene served as a Naval Gunnery Liaison Officer on the USS Idaho and New Jersey, and trained as a Navy U D T, precursor to SEALs.

Gene married Joan McCormick and became a chemist at Wyeth Pharmaceuticals, living in Kennett Square, West Chester, and New Hope, PA.  He traveled extensively in Asia, Europe, and South and Central America, and retired as Vice President of Bristol-Myers Squibb. He retired to Galax,VA. but his most treasured time was spent on Ocracoke Island, N.C.

Gene is survived by his wife of eleven years, “Libby” Smith Johnson, and by children Barbara Rice of Hagerstown, MD; Patricia Johnson Plyler and husband, Hardy, of Ocracoke, NC;  Mary Ramsey, of Albuquerque, NM; and Edward Eugene Johnson, Jr. and wife, Rona, of Little Egg Harbor, NJ;  stepchildren Lisa Fiero Adams and husband, Jim, of Galax; Katri Fiero of Sarasota, Florida; Charles Fiero and wife, Sarah, of Fuquay Varina, N.C.; and sister, Mildred Loughhead of Oxford, PA.  Gene was preceded in death by his first wife, Joan.

Gene was very proud of his grandchildren: Josh Rosenstock and partner Daniel McCarthy of London, England; Zachary Rosenstock and wife, Patricia, of Chicago, IL; Marisa Trinka and husband, Jeremy, of Barnegat, NJ; Robert, Matthew, and Jenna Johnson of Little Egg Harbor, NJ; Kelsey Adams of Galax; Charles Adams of Denver, CO; and Tom and Sam Fiero, of Fuquay Varina, N.C.; and one great-granddaughter, Lola Rosenstock of Chicago.

A Celebration of Life will be held on July 4 at Gene’s home in Galax.