Charles Sanford Johnson

Charles Sanford Johnson, peacefully passed away in the presence of his family, 17 August 2023.

He was born 1 December, 1926, in Balaton, Minnesota to Emil and Ellen Johnson, who had emigrated to the United States of America from Sweden in 1913, on their honeymoon. His mother, Ellen, told her children that, had the Captain let them off the boat during a stopover in England, they would have all been British!

Charles spent his childhood in Balaton, playing basketball and football in high school. He was the youngest of 8 children. The summer between his Junior and Senior years, he visited his oldest sister, Ella, in San Diego and worked at Convair on the B-24 Liberator production line. He joined the US Navy the day after he graduated from high school, D-Day, 6 June, 1944. After finishing radio/sonar school, he was assigned to the USS Raton, a diesel submarine, in Groton, Connecticut. Following WWII, he returned to San Diego, where he met the love of his life, Betty Jane. They remained married until her passing in 2008.

Their first son, Dan, was born while they lived in Minnesota for 2 years. The family moved back to the San Diego area, remaining there for the rest of his life except for an 8 month recovery time at his second son’s home after breaking his hip. He lived in several areas including Pacific Beach, Imperial Beach (where Charles, Jr and David were born), Nestor (where Diane was born) and Escondido.

Charles retired from General Dynamics/Convair in 1984, having worked his way up from “buck” when riveting wings, to publications as a writer and eventually, as technical editor.

He always was an ardent family man, helping his children and community in many ways. He started 3 Little Leagues—San Ysidro, Southwest San Diego and Imperial Beach. After retirement, He enjoyed working every day in his woodshop, repairing neighbors’ broken furniture and building new. His family and friends have been blessed by car and airplane models, children’s rocking horses and many toys which he continued to make until he was 92.

He is survived by his children, Dan (the late Debi), Charles (Debra), David (Judy) and Diane White (Matthew), his grandchildren, Damon, Adam, Charles III, Brian, Bradley, Emily, and great grandchildren, Lilly, Addy, Jake, Charles IV, and Irene.

He is predeceased by his wife Betty, all his siblings, one granddaughter and several nieces and nephews.

A Graveside Service for Charles will be held Saturday, September 9, 2023 from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM at Glen Abbey Memorial Park and Mortuary. A Luncheon will follow from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM at Jalisco Cafe.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.glenabbeysandiego.net for the Johnson family.