Retired U.S. Air Force Col. Barrett V. Johnson died Jan. 1, 2013, at Tennessee Medical Center in Murfreesboro, following a long battle with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.  

A native of Billings, Mont., he was the son of Abner and Mable Johnson, who preceded him in death. 

Johnson was a fighter pilot in the U.S. Air Force and retired in 1986 after 30 years of service. 

He was an exalted ruler of the Elks Club in Reno, Nev., belonged to the Military Officers Association of America and was a proud member of the River Rats organization, the Quiet Birdmen and the Super Sabre Society.

He is survived in life by his wife, Sharon K. Johnson, of Murfreesboro; his daughters Laura A. Zimmerman, of St. Charles, Ill., and Kimberly D. Byrd, of Powhatan, Va.; his son, Robert E. Williams, of Reno, Nev.; his sisters Margaret Kay Luoma, of Whitefish, Mont., and Diane W. Walker, of Floweree, Mont., and their families.

A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 5, at the Northminster Presbyterian Church, where he was a member, at 708 West Clark Blvd. in Murfreesboro.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be sent to the Coalition for Pulmonary Fibrosis. For more information about donating to the organization, visit www.coalitionforpf.org.