Charles Johnson

Charles (Chuck) James Johnson of Waco passed away Sunday, May 14, 2017. Services will be at 1:00 p.m., Friday, May 19, 2017, at Grace Gardens chapel with Pastors Danny Tomlinson and David Rodgers co- officiating. A Masonic service and burial with full military honors will follow at Waco Memorial Park. Visitation will be held from 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. on Thursday, May 18, 2017, at Grace Gardens chapel.

Charles was born December 23, 1934, to Herbert and Nina Waters Johnson. He graduated from Cazanova High School in Cazanova, NY. He earned a BS from Florida Southern College and an MBA from Texas Christian University. Charles was a life-long learner and completed much of his doctoral work at Texas A&M University while working full-time and teaching part-time at McLennan Community College. Charles was commissioned through the U.S. Air Force aviation cadet program. Charles served in the active and reserve components of the USAF, ultimately retiring at the rank of Lt. Colonel. Upon separation from active duty, he worked for General Dynamics in Ft. Worth, TX, and later joined the Veteran’s Administration from which he retired after 17 years in 1990. He sold real estate for several years before retiring for the third time to travel the country with his wife, Gloria. Charles and Gloria enjoyed touring Europe, visiting Hawaii, road trips to Florida and New Mexico, an Alaskan cruise, and visiting their youngest daughter and granddaughter in Vermont during the last years of his life. Charles was a member of First Presbyterian Church for much of his life and moved his membership to Central Presbyterian Church in his later years. Charles was a life-time member of AmVets, Military Officers Association of America, Masonic Lodge #92, and the Karem Shrine; he also belonged to the Central Texas Astronomical Association and enjoyed stargazing.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his in-laws, David and Lora Rhea, to whom he was a loving son; seven brothers and four sisters. He is survived by his wife of sixty-one years, Gloria; two daughters, Celeste and husband, Matthew Sheehy of Waco; Valerie and husband, Michael Laubach of Rutland, VT; grandchildren, Jason Sheehy and wife, Phylicia of Graford, TX; Joshua Sheehy of College Station, TX; Justin Sheehy of Los Angeles, CA; Jeremy Sheehy of Arlington, TX; Alexis Laubach of Castleton, VT; and Aileen Murphy of Ames, IA; one great grandson, Jedidiah Rhea Sheehy of Graford, TX; sister, Catherine Mosiman of Keizer, OR; and numerous cousins, nieces and nephews.

Memorials may be made to Shriners Hospitals for Children. The family wishes to thank their Visiting Angels Cynthia, Geneva, Kimbra, Karen and Lisa; Right at Home Caregivers De, Denise and Renee; and Providence Hospice nurses Ann, Becky and Brenda for their kind and excellent care.