Charlotte D. Johnson
July 3, 1939 - January 7, 2024 Riverside, CA
Charlotte D. Johnson passed away on January 7, 2024, in Riverside, California. She lived a most fulfilling life. Happily married for 60 years, she had two sons and lived in Montana, California, Wyoming, Louisiana, North Dakota, Virginia, Colorado, England, and Spain. She made positive impressions upon many whether it was with a longtime friend, a local neighbor or just having an impromptu chat with someone she had just met. Charlotte made treasured friendships everywhere she lived.
Born on July 3, 1939, in Helena, Montana to Webster and Betty Mason. She had one sibling, an older sister, Donna. While living in Helena, Charlotte made everlasting, cherished friendships with classmates known as “The Montana Girls”. After graduating from Helena High School in 1957, she attended college at the University of Montana and Montana State University on a Performing Arts scholarship.
In the early 1960’s, Charlotte moved to San Francisco working as an executive assistant at Kaiser Industries in Oakland, CA. In 1963, serendipity struck when she met her soulmate, love of her life, and future husband Thomas (Tom) Johnson, at a ”flight suit party” while Tom was flying C-133’s out of Travis A.F.B., CA. Within a year, the two became engaged and married in June of 1964. In June of 1965, Tom and Charlotte celebrated the birth of their first son, Thomas.
In 1966-1967, Tom received orders to Da Nang, Vietnam. Charlotte remained in California with their son until Tom returned to the U.S. with orders to F.E. Warren A.F.B, WY. In June of 1969, they celebrated the birth of their second son, Richard. The family would move seven times to bases in Barksdale A.F.B.; LA., March A.F.B.; CA., Grand Forks A.F.B.; N.D., the Pentagon; Washington D.C., R.A.F. Fairford; U.K., Lowry A.F.B.; CO., Torrejon A.B.; Madrid-spain. Everywhere they moved, Charlotte discovered the very best aspects of the surrounding area and actively participated in community activities with her family.
Charlotte had a notable professional resume as well. While living in Riverside, she worked as Dr. Andrew Tucker's office manager from 1974-1977. From 1985-1987 she was an executive assistant/office manager with Martin Marietta, in Englewood, CO. In the mid 90's, she was a sales associate at Starobas in Canyon Crest, Riverside, CA. And, in the early 2000's, she worked as an independent sales representative for home accents throughout Southern California.
Charlotte had numerous interests, hobbies, and passions. She was a voracious reader and preferred being curled up on a cozy couch reading books to watching television. Later in life, she championed the cause of providing dictionaries for 3rd graders in the Alvord and Jurupa school districts. She was a wiz at trivia and could finish the New York Times crossword puzzle in less than an hour! Throughout her life, she took on numerous volunteer roles with Family Services, The Red Cross, the Officer’s Wives Club, the Commissary Committee, and Cub Scouts.
Over the next 34 years, she lived in Riverside, actively pursued interests in stained glass, and achieved master gardener status through a UCR extension program. She was recognized for her outstanding efforts as an editor for the Military Officer Association newsletter and held leadership roles in the Women’s Republican Federated. She volunteered with the Assistance League and participated in Victoria Avenue Forever. She passionately pursued Voter Registration.
Charlotte leaves behind her husband Tom, their two sons, Tom and Rick, and many lifelong friends.
Services for Charlotte will be held at Riverside National Cemetery on Thursday, February 22nd, promptly at 10:30 a.m. A ‘Celebration of Life’ will be held following those ceremonies.