Sterling José Johnson, Sr. was born on July 13, 1950 in our nation's
capital Washington, D. C. to Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Calvin and Mary
Louise Hawkins Johnson. Sterling and his younger brother Jackie Ray
graduated from Cardozo High School in Washington, where they both
played basketball and Sterling was a ROTC cadet.
An interesting fact is that as a child he played the accordion and his
adoring mother prided herself on raising a well-rounded young man.
He enjoyed life at 510 Quincy Street N. W. and became friends with his
lifelong pal, Larry "Doc" Carter.
Sterling and Ray were affectionately known as Mouse and Bear,
respectively in the neighborhood and it was known that if you messed
with either one, then you had to deal with both of them.
Sterling lost his father at an early age, and his mother remarried to
Deacon William Haile aka Bill Haile in 1966. The family relocated to
333 Webster St. N.W. and they worshiped at Carolina Missionary
Baptist Church each and every Sunday. Soon after, Sterling left D.C. to
attend Tennessee State University in Nashville, Tennessee.
A Time To Live
Sterling was the proud father of Sterling, Jr. and Anthony (Tony), which
were born from his union with Jacqueline Heard Johnson. They lived
with their sons throughout the metropolitan DC area during the early
1970’s. It was then that Sterling joined D. C.’s finest and became a
Metropolitan Police Officer, following the legacy of his aunt Sue, who
was a lieutenant in the D. C. correctional system.
Sterling took great pride in protecting the community and was well
known and liked throughout the department. His favorite expression
when questioned about anything legal was, “because I am the
POLICE!” He served on the force for 23 years and then retired to start
the next phase of his professional career. Not one to waste time or
opportunity, he joined the security team of the Montgomery County
School System. His brother Ray retired as a security guard at
Montgomery Blair in the same county. He enjoyed working another
20 years there helping keep schools safe; first at White Oak Middle
School and later at Paint Branch High School, where he retired.
Throughout his entire professional career he took pride in being
dependable and rarely taking time off work. Regardless of illness,
inclement weather or circumstances, he made sure to make it to work
daily. Although he wore a badge, Sterling always exuded a perfect
blend of wit and authority. He was a fun guy and the life of every
party.
A Time To Live
Sterling played basketball regularly with Ray, Larry “Doc” Carter, Ed
King, Lawrence Moten and others on the team of The Jive Five and
Martin’s Gunners. He would frequently recount stories of playing with
NBA basketball stars from the DC area, and later high school players
during the faculty-student basketball games. He played basketball well
into his 50’s and refused to play on teams in his own age bracket.
Sterling always put the needs of his sons and his family above his own.
He raised two dynamic sons, who each earned their Master’s Degrees
and have travelled the world extensively. He was always the caregiver
and stood by his mother Mary, aunt Sue, uncle Walter and brother Ray
throughout their prolonged illnesses, until the day that they
died. Having been raised to never owe anyone, he would give you the
shirt off his back and refuse most anything that you tried to give in
return.
Along life’s highway, Sterling became an empty-nester and was a
bachelor again and a long time friendship turned into lasting love for
him and Valissa Rogers. They united in matrimony on July 22nd 2005
and to that union they added Valissa’s amazing children Joey and
Dinesha. Sterling was a happy man and boy did his life change. Sterling
and Valissa shared a love of travel and they sailed and travelled the
world taking regular cruises, long drives, trains rides and the occasional
flight. He never took a liking to airlines, so these were few and far
between. Sterling and Valissa (Vay) enjoyed eating crabs, going to see
the Baltimore Orioles, dining at restaurants with Ed and Lois and talking
smack!
Sterling was an avid Dallas Cowboys fan. He enjoyed hosting his annual
Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners with his family. This dude was
hilarious, and everybody loved him. He was cool, kind, sturdy and
funny. Sterling and Valissa worshiped at Refreshing Spring Church of
God in Christ in Riverdale, Maryland.
A Time To Die
Sterling quietly ended his earthly journey on April 27th 2020 at Holy
Cross Hospital in Silver Spring, Maryland. He is most recently preceded
in death by his brother Jackie Ray Johnson, Sr., who passed away on April
8th 2019.
Sterling leaves to mourn: his loving wife Valissa, son Sterling Johnson Jr.
(wife Angel), son Anthony Johnson; stepdaughter Dinesha Rogers Spruill
(husband John), stepson Nathaniel (Joey) Rogers, granddaughter
Savannah, step-grandkids, Kaliyah, Savannah, and Prince Rogers and
Kairo Spruill, nephew Jackie Ray Johnson Jr. (wife LaQuenceyer); cousin
LaRita Shelby, who was like his little sister; 2 nephews, a host of cousins,
other relatives and friends.
There will never ever be another like Sterling Jose’ Johnson, Sr.
May we honor his life by carrying the same manner of love, strength,
dignity, wisdom, dedication and humor in all that we do.
COMPARTA UN OBITUARIO
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