T homas Northup Johnson, age 86, of Middle Granville, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, Oct. 13, 2010, at Pleasant Valley Infirmary in Argyle, following a long battle with Alzheimer’s.
He was born on Jan. 12, 1924, in Granville, the son of Dwight and Frannie (Brown) Johnson.
He enlisted when he was 17 years old to serve in the U.S. Army during World War II. He served from 1941 to 1946. He was stationed in Holland and in the England with the British Air Force as an ammunitions driver. That is where he met the actor, Clark Gable, and would drive him around.
Mr. Johnson married Mildred Lorraine (Dodge) in Granville on March 22, 1946. They bought their first farm together in South Granville. They purchased their next dairy farm in Middle Granville, where they spent most of their lives devoted to farming and raising their two daughters. Mildred passed away on Aug. 28, 1989.
He was an active member and also national director for New York State National Farmers Organization (NFO) for years fighting for the plight of the American
farmer.
Mr. Johnson was a wonderful, loving “Dad” and “Papa” to his family and will be sadly missed by them all.
He was predeceased by three sisters, Margaret Johnson, Doris Stewart and Dora Bebee.
He is survived by his two daughters, Lori Johnson of Middle Granville and Pamela Bailey and her husband, Marc Bailey, of Farmington, Maine; three grandchildren, Thomas and Jennifer Bailey, Christopher and Melissa Bailey and Lauren Bailey, all of Farmington, Maine; and five great-grandchildren, Brooke, Troy, Trenton, Natalie and Emma Bailey. He is also survived by one brother, L. Clifford Johnson and his wife, Virginia, of Glens Falls; and several nieces and nephews.
Graveside services were conducted at 3 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 15, at the Elmwood Cemetery, Middle Granville.
There were no calling hours.
The family requests that in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions to be made in her memory to the Haynes House of Hope, P.O. Box 285, Granville, N.Y. 12832.
Arrangements are under the direction of the Robert M King Funeral Home, 23 Church St., Granville.
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