A US Army Colonel who spent many happy years in Burnham has died.

Colonel Frederic. E. Johnson, who was originally from Chicago, passed away aged 96 on August 8 surrounded by his family.

He leaves behind his children Frederic, Michael, Margaret Ann Pyle, Penny Andrew and Kelly Claire, as well as his grandchildren Jennifer, Barbara, Ian, Cari and Emma.

He also leaves behind great grandchildren, nephews and nieces.

Born on October 12, 1918, Frederic served a successful career in both the National Guard and the US Army, before being appointed the commander of a gasoline supply company.

He supervised petroleum facilities for the US Military and Nationalist Government, and arrived in sunny Burnham in 1943.

Frederic was accommodated in one of the buildings on the town's Esplanade opposite the pavilion and was sent to the depot in Highbridge to work with the fuel.

Being attached to the oil industry, Frederic went to Pontins in Brean Sands to waterproof both tanks and trunks.

In 1992, he met Iris Rowe, from Burnham, who would become one of his lifelong friends.

"Frederic was a very lovely man," said Iris.

"He was a complete and utter gentleman and we were in contact for over 20 years.

"He would always take the time to take me and my friends out for lunch and even when he returned to America he always wrote to me and always replied.

"He was very active and his brain was still so sharp."

The Las Vegas review Journal reports that Frederic enjoyed cooking, having a good cigar, doing his crossword puzzles and listening to Glenn Miller.

He touched the lives of all his family members with his generosity and counsel.

"He will be missed by so many people," added Iris.