Sergeant, United States Marine Corps
Sergeant Tim Johnson honorably served in the US Marine Corps form 2003-2007. He was a member of the military police and shared his expertise with firearms as a marksmanship coach. Serving in his specialty as a K-9 handler, Sergeant Johnson saw duty in Iraq, supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom. Along with his dog, Sped, he served in bomb detection and disposal. In a 2007 article in the British newspaper, the Telegram, Britain’s top bomb disposal expert wrote of bomb disposal in Iraq in the era in which Sergeant Johnson served as being “the most dangerous job in the world in the most dangerous place in the world.” Sergeant Johnson’s fastidious attention to detail and his commitment to preserving our nation’s core values saved countless lives. Tim is remembered fondly and with great appreciation by his fellow Marines and the soldiers, sailors and airmen with whom he served.From early on, Tim embraced life and sought adventures that others only dream of. From mountain climbing, to deep sea fishing, to studying abroad, to fulfilling his passion for patriotism, Tim lived life to the fullest. Tim’s family and friends loved him for his fierce competitive nature, his caring and gentle heart, and his adventurous spirit. At the same time, Tim always exhibited a sense of purpose and a love of family that kept him well-grounded and focused.Those are the same characteristics Tim brought to his Big Hearts mule hunt in 2014. Although at the time Tim was suffering from the effects of post-traumatic stress disorder and what proved to be fatal brain cancer, his enthusiasm for the hunt, his appreciation for nature, and his spirit of compassion left an indelible mark on the Big Hearts community. In our short time together, Tim easily gave as much, if not more to us than we gave to him and his companionship is sorely missed. He lived his motto “Fight to the end” as he battled cancer for 4.5 years. Tim passed peacefully on October 4, 2015, surrounded by loved ones at home.