Joaquin G. Johnson

Joaquin G. Johnson was born in Denver, Colorado on May 17, 1929. Three days later his parents Carlos and Grace, took him home to live in Trinidad, Colorado. Both of his parents were teachers, his mother was his teacher for his first three years of school. Joaquin attended Trinidad State Junior College for two years, and then taught for another two years in Trinidad before enlisting in the Army.

Joaquin reported to Ft. Riley, Kansas for training. He was then sent to Korea as a Two Striper, for about two weeks and then made squad leader, followed by platoon Sgt. and with the death of the platoon leader he then became platoon leader. He received various ribbons and the Purple Heart, it came with a 10 percent disability, which allowed him to finish College.

When he returned to the states he married his girl friend Marian and soon after moved to Gunnison, Colorado where he attended Western State College. Their son Jay was born there. After receiving his Masters degree they moved to Reese River, Nevada, a Shoshone Indian Reservation where he taught with his mother Grace for three years. Their daughter Allyson was born during their time at Reese River.

Next they moved to Gabbs, Nevada where he was the Principal of the school for a few years. After that they moved to Tonopah, Nevada where he was also the Principal. His next job was Superintendent of the Nye County School District for 17years. The J.G. Johnson elementary school in Pahrump, Nevada was named after him.

After retiring from the school district he and his wife, Marian moved to Las Vegas, Nevada to be with their son and his family. Joaquin went back to work as the CEO for a company that installed security cameras in the casinos in Las Vegas, he retired when he was 75.