U.S. Air Force Lt. Cmdr. James Brice “Drama” Johnson, 33, passed away in a U.S. Navy F/A-18 Super Hornet accident Wednesday, March 14, 2018.
He was born Aug. 21, 1984, in Columbus, Miss., to Air Force officers, Wade and Kathy Johnson. His sister, Kallyn, followed 18 months later. The Air Force family moved together to Holloman AFB, N.M.; Keflavik Iceland, Langley AFB, Va.; Fort Leavenworth, Kan.; Luke AFB, Ariz., Maxwell AFB, Ala., and Randolph AFB, Texas, as Brice was growing up. He attended high school at Brophy College Preparatory in Arizona, Saint James School in Alabama, and Randolph High School in Texas in preparation for his appointment to the U.s. Air Force Academy in 2003.
Brice began courting his future bride, Mary Asher “Mash” Vendt, following their first year at the Air Force Academy after connecting at Airmanship 490, Basic Freefall Parachuting. They graduated together in the Class of 2007, with Brice commissioning as an Ensign in the United States Navy. He attended Weapons Systems Officer (WSO) training in Pensacola, Fla., while Mash attended primary flight training at Whiting Field, Fla.
The couple married at the U.S. Air Force Academy Chapel on Aug. 1, 2009. Brice then moved to Naval Air Station Lemoore, Calif., and joined the VFA-22 “Fighting Redcocks” as a F/A-18F Super Hornet WSO. He completed two combat deployments onboard the USS Carl Vinson with VFA-22 before being selected for pilot training in Pensacola, Fla. In July of 2015, Wade pinned another set of wings upon his chest. After re-mastering the F/A-18F from the front seat, Brice was assigned to the world famous VFA-213 “Fighting Blacklions” at Naval Air Station Oceana, Va. With VFA-213, he deployed a third time, flying combat missions from the USS George H.W. Bush, returning home in August 2017. Drama was “unwillingly” promoted to lieutenant commander in February 2018 (JOPA forever!). He departed this world doing exactly what he loved in service to this great country.
He is survived by his wife, Mary Asher “Mash” Johnson; parents, C. Wade and K.J. Johnson; sister, Kallyn; in-laws, David and Mary Hart Vendt; and countless loving family and friends. He will always be remembered for his infectious laugh and huge grin. His ability to light up any room and make us all laugh will be dearly missed. Rest in peace, Brice. Fair winds and following seas…ESBU…”and touched the face of God.”
A visitation will be held from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., Friday, March 23, with services following at 2 p.m. at Virginia Beach United Methodist Church, 212 19th St., Virginia Beach. Full military honors and a missing man formation flyover will follow the service on the beachfront with a reception immediately following.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The Wingman Foundation or to Camp Wapiyapi, where Brice volunteered several summers. Camp Wapiyapi is a summer camp for children facing pediatric cancer and their siblings at no cost. Donations may be mailed in honor of J. Brice Johnson to 191 University Blvd., #294, Denver, CO 80206.
Share online condolences with the family at altmeyerfh.com.
