Dr. Thomas "Tom" Cole Johnson

Atlanta - Dr. Thomas "Tom" Cole Johnson, 78, died peacefully on Friday, September 16, 2016 at the Hospice Atlanta Center.
Born on February 22, 1938 in Macon, Tom received a B.A. from Mercer University (1960), a M.Ed. from Emory University (1964), and a Doctor of Education from the University of Georgia (1972). Tom spent his teaching career at Emory University, where he served seven years as chair of the department of health, physical education and dance, and was promoted to the rank of full professor in 1999. He retired in 2010 and was honored with professor emeritus status shortly after.
Tom's passion was coaching, and he served as Emory's head men's soccer coach for 22 years. His distinguished coaching career included 200 wins and being named the Southern Region Coach of the Year in 1984. In 1993, Tom was inducted into the Emory Sports Hall of Fame. He also served on the selection committee for the Hall of Fame and for Emory's Sonny Carter Scholarship. Tom was committed to encouraging young athletes, and he directed Emory's sports fitness camp from 1986-1999 and was instrumental in the growth of youth soccer in the Atlanta area.
Most of all, Tom is remembered by his family and many friends as a witty, devoted, and loving husband, father, G-daddy, teacher, coach, and mentor.
Predeceased by his parents Thomas Watson Johnson and Johnnie Cole Johnson McCullough, Tom is survived by his wife of 56 years Kay Edwards Johnson; children Laura Schofield (Shane) of Macon and David Johnson (Vicki) of Dacula, GA; grandchildren, Bray Makowski of Macon, Mallory Johnson of Dacula, GA and Cole Thomas Johnson of Dacula; step grandchildren, Jackson Schofield of Macon and Walker Schofield of Macon.
The family will receive visitors at A.S. Turner & Sons at 2773 North Decatur Road in Decatur, GA on Sunday, September 18 from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. and at Hart's Mortuary at 765 Cherry Street on Monday, September 19 from at 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Burial will be private. A celebration of his life will be held at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, the family invites those who wish to do so to make donations to the Mercer University Class of 1960 Scholarship Fund, 1501 Mercer University Drive, Macon, Georgia 31207 or to the Sonny Carter Scholarship Fund, 1762 Clifton Road NE, Suite 2400, Atlanta, Georgia 30322.
A.S. Turner & Sons and Hart's Mortuary have charge of the arrangements.




Funeral Home:
A. S. Turner & Sons
2773 North Decatur Road
Decatur, GA
30033