Dr. Clarence Johnson

On April 10,1943, Clarence Johnson was born to the parents of Walter “RG” and Mary Vick in Magnolia, Texas. He was the youngest of four children and had two brothers (James Samuel and Lewis Byrd) and one sister (Cherrie Lee). He attended public schools in Magnolia Independent School District from 1948-1959.Because of segregation, at the end of his sophomore year in high school in Magnolia Independent School District, Clarence Johnson was forced to earn his high school diploma at Lincoln High School, Montgomery Independent School District in Montgomery, Texas, in 1961. During high school, Clarence participated in three sports. He earned varsity letterman in track and field, football, and basketball. Clarence was a member of Lincoln High School octet that won first place in district competition and advanced to state competition. He also was amember of the basketball district champions that advanced to state competition in 1960. He participated in state high school track and field competition in 1961.He ran the first leg of the 4 x l00 relay that won first place during district competition. He was voted all around boy of the graduating class of 1961.Upon graduation from high school, Clarence Johnson enrolled in Prairie View A&M University. As a freshman, Clarence participated on Prairie View A&M University track and field team. He ran the first leg on the 880 relay that won third place during the Prairie View A&M University relays in 1962. He competed against Homer Jones, a world class sprinter in the 100-yard dash during Southwestern Athletic Conference Track and Field Competition in 1962 at Jeppesen Stadium in Houston, Texas.

Clarence received a Bachelor of Science in education from Prairie View A&M University in 1965. In 1972, Clarence returned to Prairie View A&M University and earned a Master of Education Degree in guidance and counseling. On December 13, 2008, at the age of 65, he was awarded a Doctor of Philosophy in Educational Leadership.

After graduating from college, Clarence was employed by Aldine Independent School District in I965. Clarence taught middle school mathematics at Charles Richard Drew Junior High School for 10 years in the Aldine ISD. His junior highslide rule team won the district slide rule contest. A first for an African American team in Aldine ISD. He served as track and football coach for one year at Drew Junior High. He also served as a high school counselor at both George Washington High School and MacArthur High School. He was promoted to assistant principal at Hambrick Junior High in 1977-1978. He moved to Nimitz High School as an assistant principal when the new school opened in 1978. He served with late Principal Jack Welch for nine years. In 1987, Clarence was promoted to the position of principal at Aldine Contemporary Education Center (A.C.E.),former George Washington Carver High School. He served as principal for 14years and under his leadership, the school became a magnet school, and renamed George Washington High School for Applied Technology, Engineering,and The Arts.

During his tenure as high school principal, Clarence completed a three-year termas the Texas Association of Secondary School Principals (TASSP)Representative for Region IV in Houston, Texas. He served on the TASSP Middle Level/High Leadership Committee and on the State High School Steering Committee in Austin, Texas. In 2001, Clarence was promoted to Director of Safe and Secure for the Aldine Independent School District. During his leadership, heorganized, trained, and implemented safety practices for 60,000 students and7,000 employees in the Aldine Independent School District.Clarence was a member of Harris County Department of Education Center for Safe and Secure Schools Alert Task Force from 2003 to 2005, a member of Harris County Department of Education for Safe and Secure Schools Operations Board from 2003 to 2006, a member of Region IV Safe and Drug Free Schools Communities Advisory Committee from 2002 to 2004. In 2003, Clarence traveled to California and earned a Certificate of Completion for COPS ln Schools Training in San Diego, California. He has a Certificate of Completion for Domestic Crisis Preparation and Response Training for Texas Schools.He received many honors and accolades during his career as an educator. He was awarded Region IV Principal of the Year Award (Houston, Texas) in 1996. He was awarded North Harris Montgomery Community College District Scholars for Education Award in 1996. He was awarded Aldine Educational Paraprofessional

Boss of the Year for 2003-2004.

Recognized by Galilee Missionary Baptist Church Scholarship Ministry in Houston,Texas, for “Excellence Service to the Acres Home Community” and awarded the“Community Star Award” in 2009. The 100 hallway at George Washington Carver High School in Aldine Independent School District is called the Clarence Johnson Gallery of Fame in honor of Dr. Johnson. Dr. Clarence Johnson retired in 2011 with

47 years in education.

Not only was Clarence busy in the educational setting, but he was also active in his Magnolia community. Clarence served his community of Magnolia as a city councilman from 1983 to 1987. He was a Magnolia mayoral candidate in 1987.During his tenure on city council, he was instrumental in having street lights in-

stalled in the predominantly African American section of the city.

Dr. Johnson was baptized in 1955 by Reverend Nathaniel Parker, Pastor of Piney Grove Missionary Baptist Church in Magnolia, Texas. Dr. Johnson is a member of St. Matthew Missionary Baptist Church in Magnolia, Texas. Reverend Emery Berry,Jr., was his Pastor. Clarence has been the guest speaker at several churches. He married Rhonda Swift on July 11, 1987. She was the love of his life. They shared

many glorious and happy years together. To this union, no children were born.

Clarence Johnson was preceded in death by his father, mother, three siblings,one child (Michael Hudson) and one great-grandchild. To cherish his memory,he leaves: his wife, Rhonda; children: Vanessa Miles (Byron); Lisa Ross; Tonya Childress Johnson; Rhonda Rena Johnson Terrell (Carl); Ray Don Dupree; Adrian Dorsey (Monique); fourteen grandchildren; eleven great-grandchildren;sisters-in-law: Ester Johnson; Obelia Johnson; brother-in-law: Darrin Johnson; a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, friends, domino buddies, and students who regarded him as a father figure and friend.