Carol Johnson Kaercher

CAROL JOHNSON KAERCHER

Carol Johnson Kaercher, age 78, of Abilene, Texas, passed away on April 14, 2025, in Abilene.

Carol was born in Jayton, Texas, to John Martin and Mary Lynn (Harrison) Johnson on August 30, 1946. She attended Jayton area schools, graduating from Jayton High School in 1964. Throughout her life, Carol remained a proud Jayton Jaybird. Carol continued her education with American Commercial College in Abilene, graduating with a certification in Secretarial Science in 1965. She then began her professional career with Fidelity Enterprises.

Carol met her future husband, Harry R. Kaercher, when she went on a double date as a chaperone for her roommate; and Harry was her date. The rest is history. They were married on November 6, 1966, at Sacred Heart Church in Abilene. They went on to have two sons, Joe and Ron. In conjunction with Harry's Air Force assignments, Carol began her career as a Department of Defense civilian, working as a secretary at Howard AFB and Allbrook AFS in Panama, Bolling AFB in the District of Columbia, and finally Dyess AFB in Abilene, Texas. Carol retired in 2006 with 26 years of dedicated service; and upon her retirement, she received the Outstanding Civilian Service Award. Of special note, Carol was dual-hatted for most of her career. She was not only the commander's secretary. She was the spouse of an Air Force First Sergeant. In those two roles, she helped military families navigate the challenges coming their way. Carol was a loyal and dedicated employee, and she dearly loved her C-130 community at Dyess and across the Air Force. She remained close friends with all who knew her following their moves away from Dyess, as well as with a dedicated group of first sergeant spouses and civilian co-workers who continued to seek her friendship and guidance. Carol was also a Mary Kay consultant for over 55 years, starting when she and Harry were stationed in D.C. and continuing to this day.

Carol was preceded in death by her husband Harry, her parents John Martin and Mary Lynn Johnson, her father- and mother-in-law Peter and Emma Kaercher, brothers-in-law Robert and Bill Kaercher, and sister-in-law Betty Derke.

Carol is survived by her son Joe and wife Carol Ann, son Ron and wife Wendy; grandchildren Rebecca Ann Parvaresh and husband Jami, Amanda Alexander, Cody Carter and wife Kayla, Kaleigh Hicks, Emily Hicks, Seth Hicks and his fiancé Hannah, and Abel Hicks; and great-grandchildren Prairie Beth Alexander, Cole Carter, Samuel Carter, and Noah Hicks. She is also survived by sisters Beverly Caddell and her husband Dave, Jonnie Lynn Edinburgh and her husband Kirk, her brother George Johnson and his wife Karen, and by numerous nieces and nephews both here in Texas and in Pennsylvania. She also leaves behind her two loyal canine companions Bella and Dakota.

Pallbearers will be grandsons Cody Carter and Jami Parvaresh and nephews Bo Johnson, Will Johnson, Chuck Caddell, and John Caddell. Honorary pallbearers are brothers-in-law Kirk Edinburgh and Dave Caddell and nieces Ginny Baker and Laquetta Shane.

Visitation will be from 5:30-7:30 pm on Tuesday, April 22, 2025, at Hamil Family Funeral Home, 6449 Buffalo Gap Road in Abilene.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 am on Wednesday, April 23, 2025, at First Methodist Church, 202 Butternut Street in Abilene, with Pastor Steve Patterson officiating. Burial will follow at the Texas State Veteran's Cemetery at 2:00 pm.

Donations in Carol's memory may be made to Wounded Warrior Project, https://support.woundedwarriorproject.org or the charity of your choice.