Thomas L. Johnson

ALEXANDER—Thomas L. Johnson, age 77, of Alexander and Santeetlah Shores, went to his heavenly father on Monday April 22, 2013, from his home surrounded by his loving family. He was born December 11, 1935, in Buncombe County. He was the son of the late Coleman and Lockie Worley Johnson. His times on Lake Santeetlah with his wife and family were special. Tom enjoyed hunting, hiking and fishing. A proficient bowler, he also loved to read, history being his favorite subject, influencing his grandchildren to understand the importance of reading and learning. After retirement from the Social Security Administration, he and his wife started Weddings by TJ, which they operated together for 20 years. Surviving are his wife of 54 years, Mary Anne Hill Johnson; son, Jeffrey Thomas Johnson and wife Debra; daughter, Pamela Johnson Thomas and husband Robert; and grandchildren, Madelyn Diane Johnson and Wesley Coleman Thomas, all of Alexander. His funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m., Thursday, April 25, 2013, in the Chapel of West Funeral Home, 17 Merrimon Ave., Weaverville, with Rev. Bob Belford officiating. Burial will follow in Ashelawn Gardens of Memory. The family will receive friends 6:00 to 8:00 p.m., Wednesday at the funeral home. At other times, the family will be at the residence. Flowers are welcome or memorials may be made to Buncombe County Library, North Asheville and Leicester Branches, 67 Haywood St., Asheville, NC 28801; or Woodland Hills Church, Youth Ministry, 50 Woodland Hills Rd., Asheville, NC 28804. For those who desire, condolences may be offered to the family under Tom's obituary at www.WestFamilyFuneralServices.com.