- Date Of Birth: December 23, 1927
- Date Of Death: February 16, 2018
- State: South Carolina
Hugh Aaron Johnson was born on December 23, 1927 in Orlinda, Tennessee to the late Allen Burette and Delsie Adams Johnson. He served in the US Air Force, was a Master Mason, and was a member of the First Baptist Church of Camden. He died on Friday, February 16, 2018 at Palmetto Health Richland.
Hugh is survived by his wife of 67 years, Dorothy Hancock Johnson; children, Glenn Johnson (Merlileen) of Denver, NC; Patty Popp (Don) of Doylestown, OH; Sylvia Wessinger of Lexington, SC; and Debbie Dowling (Drew) of Concord, NC; grandchildren, Charlie Owen (Nancy) of Kirkland, WA; Evan Owen (Christy) of Richmond, VA; Becca McDuffie (Aaron) of Statesville, NC; Erin Kenyon (Tom) of Charlotte, NC; Andrea Corbin (Rendon) of Anchorage, AK; Erika Popp of Boston, MA; Angela Parker (Nelson) of Monroe, NC; Andrea Popp of Doylestown, OH; Bryan Wessinger of Dalzell, SC; Gina Wessinger of Carrboro, NC; Ward and Janie Dowling of Concord, NC; great-grandchildren Ashleigh and Lacie Owen; Emily, Abigail, and Savannah Owen; Lucas and Alyssa McDuffie; Carolina, Addison, and Ivy Corbin; Mason and Samantha Parker; and sisters, Dixie Clark and Marie Walker, both of Nashville, TN. Hugh was predeceased by his parents; son-in-law, Paul Wessinger, 3 brothers, and 5 sisters.
Hugh served as an aircraft electrician in the US Air Force, then attended the University of Tennessee, graduating in 1960 with a degree in Industrial Engineering. Of the varied positions held in his professional life, he was most proud of his work through GE at the NASA Mississippi Test Facility, which tested and proved the rocket boosters for the Apollo/Saturn V space vehicles. Hugh used his knowledge of mechanics to maintain and repair the family vehicles over the years. He also spent a lot of time “tinkering” in his basement shop (which he dug out and built himself) making various items for the house and gifts for family and friends.
He was proud of his Tennessee heritage, but also considered himself a South Carolinian, having lived in Camden since 1971. His father was a tobacco farmer, so Hugh spent much of his time out in the fields and barns assisting with all the necessary work. Family was always important to Hugh as well. He was proud of his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. He was always quick to smile and was also known to burst into song at any moment. He had a gentle spirit, a twinkle in his eye, and a genuine affection for children of all ages.
