Retired Master Sergeant Charles Manley Johnson, 86, passed away Saturday, December 29, 2018 after a lengthy illness. Funeral services for Charles will be held on Friday, January 4, 2019, at 11 a.m. at Centuries Funeral Home. The family will receive friends during a visitation from 10:20 a.m. until the service begins.
Charles was proceeded in death by this beloved wife of 62 years, Shirley Mixon Johnson, his "parents" Sherman and Delphine Mixon, brother and sister-in-law Buster and Bobbie Gordy, and brother-in-law Darrell Mixon. Those left to treasure is memory are his son Michael Johnson, daughters Sherlon Cone, Teresa Catanese and husband Joe, and son Patrick Johnson and Temmie. His grandchildren Natasha Johnson, Charles M. Johnson, Jessica Johnson, Tiffany Davis and husband Chad, Chancee Catanese, Michael Catanese and wife Brandi, Jody Catanese, Robbie Catanese and wife Lisa, Patrick "PJ" Johnson, and great-granddaughter Aubrey Davis. He is also survived by nephews Glenn and Perry Mixon and a special niece Lisa "Carrot Top" G. York.
Retired Msgt. Charles M. Johnson was born November 5,1932 in Detroit Michigan. He was an orphan and raised in the foster care system until the age of 17 when he and two friends enlisted in the U.S. Army. Charles celebrated his 18th birthday on the front line of Korea with the 15th Infantry Regiment.
After returning stateside with an assignment at Fort Riley, Kansas, Charles met his wife Shirley. They married December 4, 1954 and spent 62 years together. Charles found not only the love of his life, but the family he never had. The couple had four children Michael, Sherlon, Teresa, and Patrick. Charles continued his military career serving in Germany and the Panama Canal Zone and finally settled in Shreveport, Louisiana after retiring from the U.S. Army in 1969. For his years of service, Charles was awarded the following: the Korean Presidental Citation, Expert M 14 Rifle, Expert Carbine M 1 Rifle, National Defense Service Medal, Korean Service Medal with three Bronze Stars, United Nation Service Medal, Meritorious Unit Commendation, Combat Medical Badge, Combat Infantry Badge, Good Conduct Medal with four clusters, and the Purple Heart.
In his retirement from the military, Charles persued other careers. He taught ROTC at Linear Hight School for some time. After teaching, Charles then went to work at Beaird Poulan as the International Sales Manager and retired after ten years. His last and final career was at the United States Postal Service where he spent an additional ten years.
Charles hobbies included bingo, fishing, gardening, and collecting military patches. In recent years, he collected patches from Sheriff's departments in all the parishes in Louisiana and then donated them to Sheriff Steve Prator. The other loves were is two Siberian Huskies, Mickey and Fancy.
Charles was a fourty-three year member of the Masonic Lodge of Leesville, Louisiana, a sixteen year member of the El Karubah Shriners, a twenty-six year member of the Scottish Rite Temple, a thirty year member of the American Legion, a fourty year member of the Korean War Veteran Association, and a member of the Society of the Third Infantry.
The family would like to express their deepest appreciation to Dr. Ted Warren, Dr. Paul Davis, Dr. Arnold Barz, Dr. Lash and Dr. Wong at WK Cancer Center and staff for the years of care they provided to Charles. To the staff of the Step Down Unit and LifeCare at WK Pierremont, we are forever grateful for the care and support extended to Charles and his family. To Captain Carman and dedicated firemen from CPFD #6, no words can express our appreciation. Charles loved his partners in crime dearly. Carla, Patty and Shirley loved him and brightened his every day.
George Patton said, "It is foolish and wrong to mourn the men who have died. Rather we should thank God that such men lived."
