Norfolk City Virginia USGenWeb Archives Obituaries.....Johnson, Thomas Griffin, Sr. January 31, 2001
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Robert Woolfitt http://www.genrecords.net/emailregistry/vols/00034.html#0008401 April 17, 2026, 8:32 pm

Virginian-Pilot February 1, 2001
Thomas G. Johnson, 87, former Norfolk businessman and outstanding athlete, died 
at home Wednesday, Jan. 31, 2001, after an extended illness. A native of 
Norfolk, Johnson attended Norfolk public schools, graduating from Maury High 
School where he led the 1929 football team to the State Title and set the State 
shot put record. Johnson attended the University of Virginia where he was 
captain of the football team, named honorable mention all-American and scored 
the first touchdown in Scott Stadium. He played briefly with the Pittsburgh 
Steelers before a shoulder injury forced his return to Norfolk.
In the depths of the Depression, he and his partner Algy Cohen founded the 
Sportsman's Shop. That business, starting from a single store on Freemason 
Street, over the next 35 years grew to be the dominant sporting goods supplier 
to area schools, teams and government installations. Although eligible for a 
deferment, in 1943, Johnson took leave of his business and volunteered for the 
Army, where he served in the South Pacific as officer in the Army Transportation 
Corps.
Johnson, a great storyteller, entertained family and friends with tales of the 
outrageous characters who populated the Atlantic City section of Norfolk with 
whom he grew up, the coaches and teammates with whom he played and the officers 
and men with whom he served.
Johnson is survived by his wife of 65 years, Mildred Schmucker; one son, Thomas 
G. Johnson Jr. of Norfolk; five grandchildren, Thomas G. Johnson III of Norfolk, 
Elizabeth J. Simmons of Charlotte, N.C., Gary C. Johnson of New York City, John 
Vaughan Boone of Houston, Texas, Sallie B. Daniels of Creston, N.C.; and one 
sister, Anne J. Shepherd of Virginia Beach. His daughter, Elizabeth J. Boone 
predeceased him. His brother and closest friend, James P. Johnson of Norfolk, 
predeceased him by one day.
A memorial service will be held at Old Donation Episcopal Church on Saturday at 
noon. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Old Donation 
Episcopal Church or the Children's Hospital of The Kings Daughters. H.D. Oliver 
Funeral Apts., Laskin Road Chapel, is in charge.

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