Memorials › Charles William "Johnny" Johnson

Charles William "Johnny" Johnson

24 Sep 1920 – 19 Jul 2018

Birth24 Sep 1920
Death19 Jul 2018
CemeteryTahoma National Cemetery
Kent , King County , Washington , USA
Added byklassikat on 02 Aug 2018
FaGhttps://www.findagrave.com/memorial/191902262

Bio

On Thursday, July 19, 2018, Charles William Johnson (Johnny), loving father, grandfather and great grandfather, passed away at the age of 97 in Yakima, WA. Charles was born on September 24, 1920 in San Antonio, TX to Edward and Catherine Johnson. In 1938, with WWII quickly approaching, Charles decided to join the Navy and was sworn in on October 4th, 1938. His Navy career began as an Apprentice Seaman on the USS Idaho Battleship. Once on ship Charles was assigned to the 3rd Division as a deck hand, then as a scuttle operator of a 14 inch gun #3, and eventually transferred to the Fire Control Division, controlling the directing and firing of all the guns on the ship and was soon promoted to First Class Fire Controlman. In 1942, he was ordered to proceed to the Advance Fire Control School Naval Gun Factory in Washington D.C., for instruction and training on the latest fire control equipment. In 1942 Charles was assigned to the USS Frazier, under final construction in San Francisco, CA. It was at this time that Charles met a beautiful Marine, Marion E. Pionteki, who later, on October 23, 1944, became his wife. While serving on the USS Frazier, the ship was ordered to the South Pacific to assist with conflict arising from the Russell Island invasion and Charles was promoted to Chief Petty Officer and Chief Fire Controlman (CFC). After the Russell Island invasion his ship was ordered to assist in the Aleutian Islands campaign, where his ship engaged in active firing on the islands of Attu and Kiska, where the Japanese had invaded. In 1944, Charles was ordered to the USS R.K. Huntington and assigned to join the Pacific Fleet to assist in the defeat of the Japanese Nation. In 1948 Charles was ordered onto the USS Antietam Aircraft Carrier for a goodwill tour of several countries. During this tour his ship took the King of Saudi Arabia and his dignitaries for a day at sea to observe carrier operations and gun firings, as a thank you, the King gave the ship 100 goats, they ate goat for weeks. In 1950, he was ordered to report to the Naval Missile Test Center for guided missile school and graduated 2nd in his class. In 1951, Charles was assigned to the USS Hector, this ship served as a repair vessel for US and Korean ships in the Korean War area. In 1958 the Navy sent him to work on missile systems at a base in South Carolina, focusing on surface to air missiles. After 22 years in the Navy, and a recent promotion to Chief Warrant Officer, Charles and his family decided it was time to retire from the Navy. Following his retirement from the Navy, Charles began working for General Dynamics as a Senior Field Service Representative until he was promoted in 1968 to Senior System Test Engineer where he worked on developing weapons systems for modernized guided missile ships. Charles retired from General Dynamics on August 31, 1978. Upon retirement Charles and Marion purchased 10 acres in the Manastash Canyon just outside of Ellensburg, referring to their new property as 'Cottonwood Acres' they happily spent the next 20 years enjoying their little piece of paradise, with frequent visits from their 3 kids and their grandchildren. In 1998 Charles and Marion moved to Lacey WA, shortly after, in 2001 Marion passed away from a long, courageous, battle with breast cancer. Charles eventually moved back to Ellensburg and enjoyed many years surrounded by his family and friends. Charles will be deeply missed, his love and devotion to his family was undeniable and we are so very grateful for all the years we had with such an amazing father, grandfather great grandfather and brother. Charles is survived by his sister Katherine Cochran of San Diego, CA; daughter Candace Harris of Los Angeles, CA; sons: William (Celia) Johnson of Ellensburg, WA; and Robert Johnson of Baring, WA. Charles is also survived by 5 grandchildren: Nick Johnson (Krista Huling) of Burlington, VT; Austin (Tina) Harris of Los Angeles, CA; Morgan (Mark) Stuart of Bozeman, MT; Jeffrey (Courtney) Harris of Los Angeles, CA; and Bryce (Ashley) Johnson of Kauai, HI and last but most certainly not least 4 great grandchildren who absolutely adored their Great Grandpa; Josephine, Jack, Paisley and Cora. ***** 1930 Census Edward A Johnson 44 Catherine Johnson 38 Helen Johnson 16 Edward Johnson 13 John Carlton Johnson 11 Charles Johnson 9 Arthur Johnson 7 Robert Richard Johnson 3 Mary Catherine Johnson 0

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