Karl Hamilton Johnson

Karl Hamilton Johnson of Lansing, Michigan finished his earthly race and passed into glory on Saturday, July 12, 2025, at the age of 64. He is now safe in the arms of His Savior, Jesus. Karl leaves us a Legacy of Love.

Karl was born on December 7th, 1960, to Merlin Johnson and Mary Lou Henning, in Grand Rapids, Michigan. He graduated from Southfield Lathrup High School in 1978, and went on to attend Northern Michigan University in Marquette, Michigan, and Northwestern Michigan College in Traverse City, Michigan. Returning to Southfield, Karl completed Broadcasting School at Specs Howard School of Broadcast Arts, where he met the love of his life, Ann Rashid. Rumor has it that Ann wooed him with her Mediterranean beauty and the fabulous sandwiches she would make him for lunch. Karl and Ann were married on September 27th, 1986, in Dearborn, Michigan. After a radio broadcasting stint in Tupelo, Mississippi, they returned to the Lansing area where they raised their three daughters.

During their early family years, Karl was a father first, spending much of his time carting around and caring for his three little redheaded daughters. He wasn’t the only dad showing up to the playgroup, but he definitely stood out in the 1990’s, and was proud of it.

Karl enjoyed dabbling across many lines of work when the girls were young. He did drafting, sold merchandise at concerts, bounced at a saloon, and worked in construction and finish carpentry. Karl also started a DJ business with his best friend, Joe, called Adventures in Sound. They brought the party to many weddings in the Lansing Area.

After a thorough sampling of occupational pursuits, Karl - with his bride by his side - ventured into the career that he loved: owning and operating The Closet Company of Mid-Michigan. Karl loved selling, training installers, designing closets and installing them. He loved the real-world problem solving and challenge the business brought to him. For twenty-five years, Karl and Ann blessed their community with fabulous closets, while making connections, building loyal friendships, and transforming homes.

Karl also loved fixing and building things with his hands for fun. He built a hydroplane boat and a teardrop trailer from scraps, picnic tables, and adirondack chairs, and got his father’s old train set running in his warehouse.

Karl remained a proud and involved dad as his daughters grew. He took them down to Florida on many spring breaks to spend time with their snowbird grandparents. He loved being a “Band Parent” and was at every football game. He would visit them during college, getting to know their friends as they became adults. And despite having to overcome his health challenges,, it was a point of pride to Karl that he stood by each daughters’ side at their weddings.

Karl had a true and deep father’s heart and a playful spirit, and he was known to take others under his wing. When Jenny and Missy joined YoungLife in high school, Karl loved hosting Young Life events in his home and serving on the Mission Community. He took great joy in investing in students and young adults.

Community and building friendships were a central theme of Karl’s life, whether with a neighbor, fellow car enthusiasts, his lifelong barber, or his expanding family. He took great joy in cooking for gatherings with his brothers, with Ann’s big family, friends and neighbors, and his daughters and grandchildren. Karl loved talking with people. He was a good listener and he loved to laugh.

In later years, Karl loved watching action movies with family, going to shooting ranges, and driving his classic cars to car shows.

Karl loved worshipping Jesus with his church family. Karl worked with the Michigan State Police and a group of leaders at Trinity Church in Lansing to develop a model security system for Churches, and later introduced a similar program to South Lansing Christian Church.

Karl’s heart was always to serve and protect. He kept his eyes on the congregation and on the doors. Karl loved the guys on the safety team at South like brothers. Also at South Lansing Christian Church, Karl was known to sit in the back against the wall and heckle the pastors, and they loved hearing his voice. SLCC has been an incredible support to Karl & Ann, especially during the last two years.

Karl is survived by his loving wife, Ann Johnson; daughters Erika (Robbie) Beehler of Fergus Falls, MN; Jenny (Dennis) Bingham of Lansing, MI; and Melissa (Philip) Hiltner of Detroit, MI; honorary daughter Katy Lawson; grandchildren Lily, Josiah, Hezekiah, and Violet Beehler; brother, Ron Johnson; and numerous brothers in-law and sisters in-law, nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents, brothers Martin and Merlin Douglas, nephew Michael Johnson, and brothers in-law Tom Rashid and John Rashid, who were his very close friends.

A visitation for Karl will be held on Sunday, July 20th, 2025 from 4:00pm to 8:00pm at Gorsline Runciman Funeral Home - 1730 E Grand River Ave, East Lansing, MI 48823. The family invites those to share their stories and memories of Karl from 6:00-7:00pm followed by a prayer service.

A memorial service will be held on Monday July 21st, 2025 at 10:30am at South Lansing Christian Church - 6300 Aurelius Road, Lansing, MI 48911. The family will begin receiving guests at 9:00 to share stories, pray, laugh and visit. Karl loved people and would want us all to be together sharing joy. A luncheon will be held at the church following services.

The service will be live streamed at https://www.seekstudyserve.org/

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to help with Karl’s final expenses. Checks may be written to Ann Johnson.

We grieve with hope, knowing that one day we will be together with Karl again in our eternal home.

Link to Karl Johnson's visitation (Sunday, July 20th, 2025): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U6mMfjH7FVQ

Link to Karl Johnson's memorial service (Monday July 21st, 2025): https://vimeo.com/1103295722/b4ba395fb5