WHEREAS, Colonel (Va.) Bobbie Garrett Johnson, Ret., distinguished veteran and beloved citizen of the Bedford community, died on July 20, 2019; and

WHEREAS, after graduating valedictorian from Moneta High School in 1944, Bobbie Johnson served the nation as an active duty member of the United States Army Air Corps during World War II and in a reserve capacity from 1946 to 1949; and

WHEREAS, Bobbie Johnson dedicated many years serving the country and the Commonwealth in the National Guard from 1949 to 1960 and the Virginia Defense Force from 1986 to 2002; and

WHEREAS, while a member of the Virginia Defense Force, Bobbie Johnson was commander of the 4th Brigade; in recognition of his exceptional service in defense of the Commonwealth, he received the Virginia Distinguished Service Medal from the State Guard Association of the United States; and

WHEREAS, in his civilian life, Bobbie Johnson was a successful businessman, co-founding Laughon & Johnson, Inc., an excavating and paving company, in 1948; and

WHEREAS, over nearly a half-century with Laughon & Johnson, Bobbie Johnson helped build many of the bridges along U.S. Route 460 and the Virginia Tech Montgomery Executive Airport; and

WHEREAS, committed to supporting the United States Armed Forces in any way that he could, Bobbie Johnson was a volunteer tour guide at the National D-Day Memorial in Bedford and a member of the Air Force Association; and

WHEREAS, guided by his abiding faith, Bobbie Johnson was a member of the Mt. Olivet Southern Baptist Church in Bedford for most of his life, where he served in many capacities, including the office of a deacon, and enjoyed worship and fellowship with his community; and

WHEREAS, preceded in death by his wife, Peggy, and his son, Glenn, Bobbie Johnson will be dearly remembered and missed by his sons, William and Steven, their families, and numerous other family members and friends; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That the House of Delegates hereby note with great sadness the loss of Colonel (Va.) Bobbie Garrett Johnson, Ret., honored veteran, respected businessman, and cherished member of the Bedford community; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to the family of Colonel (Va.) Bobbie Garrett Johnson, Ret., as an expression of the House of Delegates' respect for his memory.