Thomas F. (Tom) Johnson is a retired Presbyterian Minister and Navy Chaplain. He is blessed to be serving as our Parish Associate, on a volunteer basis.
He graduated from San Francisco Theological Seminary, was Ordained in 1960, and served pastorates in Long Beach, Ca and Topeka, KS. He was selected to study Pastoral Care for 9 months at Claremont School of Theology.
In 1965 he volunteered to serve “one tour” as a Navy Chaplain. This meaningful ministry lasted 30 years, He served: with the Seabees in Spain and in Vietnam. At NAS Jacksonville, FL. aboard the USS SYLVANIA (AFS-2) home ported in Naples, Italy and the USS RANGER (CV-61) in San Diego. He served as Command Chaplain (Head of Staff) in Nea Makri, Greece; Lemoore, CA; Guantanamo Bay, Cuba; and North Island. He developed the Chaplain’s ministry for off-base housing in San Diego.
As a Supervisory Chaplain, he served as the Force Chaplain for the Naval Air Force, Pacific Fleet, supervising 60 Chaplains across the Pacific, and as Fleet Chaplain for the Atlantic Fleet, supervising over 250 Chaplains. He was honored with two Legion of Merit Medals, and as the “Gray Shepherd” of the Navy.
Upon “graduating” from the Navy, Tom served as Interim Pastor at the Shadow Hills Presbyterian Church in Sunland, CA, and earned a certificate in The Art of Spiritual Direction from San Francisco Theological Seminary. He is currently a Trustee for the Military Chaplain’s Association of America.
Tom is married to Darlene, his Kansas City, KS High School sweetheart, for 53 years. They have 3 children, 11 grandchildren, and 2 great grandchildren.