Thomas "Jay" Wingo Johnson

Thomas Wingo “Jay” Johnson, Jr., the epitome of a kind, loyal and generous family man and community member, passed away peacefully on July 21, 2023, with his wife and daughters by his side. He was 70. Jay was a lifelong resident of the New River Valley, graduating from Christiansburg High School and Virginia Tech. He served stateside in the Army during the Vietnam War and built a 40-year career in banking, retiring from Atlantic Union Bank in 2021. Family was unquestionably the greatest love of Jay’s life. He was a steady and selfless patriarch for the Johnson clan for many years, serving as a role model and hero for multiple generations. Jay was married to his college sweetheart, Amy, for 47 years – and still counting, in his family’s minds. He fully embraced the “Girl Dad” and “Girl Pop-Pop” life with his daughters, Erin and Katie, and his granddaughter, Aria. He was endlessly silly and always up for a dance. Jay also enjoyed Sunset Beach vacations, listening to The Beatles, cheering for the Hokies and Washington Commanders, and quoting “The Andy Griffith Show” with his youngest brother, David, his very best friend. He happily hosted annual Thanksgiving gatherings, organizing raucous front-yard football games and cooking a mean turkey (while allegedly sneaking only a few early bites). Along with his wife, daughters, granddaughter and brother David (Alison), Jay is survived by his nephews and nieces, Matthew (Lauren), Kristen (Lee), Preston, Josie, Tommy and Sammy; his grandnephews and grandniece Elias, Jonah, Milo, Dakota and Tatum; and his sister-in-law Tacy (Steve). All of us are better people for having known him. Jay was predeceased by his proud parents, Thomas and Kathryn Johnson, and his beloved brother Timothy (Patty). We picture them happily reuniting, having a spaghetti dinner with some Rolling Rocks, toasting the end of the Dan Snyder era in Washington and maybe arguing a little politics. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to two community non-profits that Jay supported: the United Way of the Roanoke Valley (325 Campbell Ave. SW, Roanoke, VA 24073), where his daughter Erin now works, and the Montgomery County Christmas Store (30 W. Main Street, Christiansburg, VA 24073). A celebration of life will be held at the War Memorial Chapel, Virginia Tech Campus on Friday, July 28th at 2 pm.