Alton M. "Buddy" Johnson, Jr.

Alton M. “Buddy” Johnson, Jr. (Lt. Col, USAF, Ret.), 83, of Valdosta, died on Friday, December 13, 2019 in Orlando, FL after a brief illness. Mr. Johnson was born in Valdosta on May 1, 1936 to the late Dr. Alton M. & Jeane Grey Johnson, where he attended Valdosta High School, and graduated in 1954. He went on to attend and graduate from Emory University with a degree in Biology. He was also a member of and the president of Sigma Chi fraternity while at Emory. After graduation, upon his return to Valdosta, he met and married Jean. They were blessed with 3 daughters, Kathryn, Ruth, and Linda. This year they celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary.
Mr. Johnson joined the U.S. Air Force and became a Navigator and an Electronic Warfare Operations Officer and flew over 5,000 hours in a B-52 bomber. The Johnsons moved 18 times during his 20-year Air Force career, within the the United States and an international tour of duty in Guam. He attended Squadron Officers School and the Armed Forces Staff College, afterwards, he served two tours of duty in Vietnam. When he returned to the United States after Vietnam, he was stationed at Strategic Air Command headquarters in Nebraska. He completed his military career stationed at the Pentagon. The family moved back to Valdosta, upon his retirement in 1980. Here he started TVF Productions, which involved television, video, and film production and distribution. Mr. Johnson was also very active in civic organizations here. He was a founding member of the Military Officers Association of America (MOAA) in Valdosta and served as their first president. He served as state president of Georgia MOAA. In the early 2000’s, he and Burt Powell brought Honor Flight to this area. Honor Flight took WWII and other veterans to tour the War memorials in Washington D.C. He also served on the National Board of Directors of Honor Flight for seven years. In addition, he served as a long-time member and twice past president of the Kiwanis Club, where Mr. Johnson received the prestigious Hixon Award. He was a board member of the Salvation Army here in Valdosta, Mr. Johnson served as a two time past president for this organization as well. Despite his far-flung military career and very active civic service, home and family were always his highest priority. Mr. Johnson was a lifelong member of First United Methodist Church.
Mr. Johnson is survived by his wife, Jean Johnson, of Valdosta; three daughters and son-in-laws, Kathryn & Sam Edgar of Alma, GA, Ruth & John Salter of Panama City, FL, and Linda & Mark Page of Orlando, FL; a sister and brother-in-law, Valliere & Byron Jones of Grayson, GA; sister-in-law, Lawsona Gibson of Brunswick, GA; eight grandchildren, Erin Edgar of Alma, Leah Palmer of Valdosta, Jeff (Mallory) Salter of Ponte Vedra, FL, John (Bethany) Salter of Saint Pawleys’s Island, SC, Jason Salter of Panama City, FL, Cameron Page, Austin Page, Colton Page, all of Marietta, five great grandchildren, and numerous nieces & nephews. He is preceded in death by a sister, Elva Grey Brown and a special cousin, Ruth Jennings.
The funeral for Mr. Johnson will be held at eleven o’clock in the morning, on Saturday, December 21, 2019, at First United Methodist Church. Rev. Whit Byram, Rev. Charles Adams and Rev. John McGowan will officiate. Burial will follow at Sunset Hill Cemetery. The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Friday evening from 5 until 7 p.m. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to First United Methodist Church, 109 W. Valley St., Valdosta, GA 31601. Condolences may be conveyed to the family on the obituary page of www.mclanecares.com Carson McLane Funeral Home.