Charles Anthony Johnson

Charles Anthony Johnson was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on December 18, 1949, to the late Alma Williams Lewis and Charles N. Johnson. Charles loved and respected his stepfather, Charles “Bucky” Lewis. Charles grew up in a loving home with Alma and Bucky and spent countless hours playing with his friends and cousins Deborah Boyd and Audrey Spann on Cleveland Street in North Philadelphia. Affectionately known as “Charlie,” “Chuck,” and “Charlie Dog,” he attended public school at George Washington Carver Elementary School and graduated from Simon Gratz High School in 1967.

While a student at Simon Gratz High School, Chuck was active at the Church of the Advocate, serving as an altar boy and summer camp counselor. Charles was a gifted artist early in life. A talent that eventually won him the Model Cities scholarship. He began his college career at the Community College of

Philadelphia (CCP), graduating from “The Only H-U,” Howard University, in 1973 with a Bachelor of Fine Arts.

Chuck also participated in the Black Power Movement and the Black Panthers during high school and college. The Black Power Movement met at the Church of the Advocate under the leadership of Father Paul Washington. He participated in the Student Action Committee that culminated on Friday, November 17, 1967, with the walkout and nonviolent gathering of over 3,500 Black student protesters from Philadelphia High Schools.

During his Black Power years, Charles met Regina Vaughn, whom he eventually married on July 1, 1972. Charles and Regina became the proud parents of one daughter, Sharifa Johnson Atkins.

Chuck eventually returned to Washington, DC, where he spent his career working as a mental health professional at Chestnut Lodge, the Arc of Montgomery County Maryland, and Medstar Georgetown Washington Hospital. Chuck was known to be a dependable co-worker, spending decades working the night shift, and made life-long friendships with those he worked with daily.

Chuck was also a man who had many passions. Chuck was opinionated about many subjects which often led to spirited discussions with family and friends. He was an avid car aficionado and enjoyed attending car shows and also engaged in riflery. He was also a huge Star Trek fan. Over the decades, he enjoyed watching Star Trek TV and movies, and collecting Star Trek memorabilia. He also enjoyed a wide variety of music including jazz fusion, country, folk and R & B. He enjoyed attending jazz concerts at Blues Alley, The Birchmere and the Wolf Trap National Park for the Performing Arts. He cherished time sharing a meal with a friend, going to the movies, or attending his grandson’s basketball games. This Fall, Chuck’s grandson Jordan will carry out his grandfather’s legacy and attend Chuck’s alma mater, Howard University.

Jordan will be a Finance Major in the School of Business and be a member of the Howard Men’s Basketball team.

Chuck leaves to cherish his memory his daughter Sharifa Johnson Atkins and husband Dr. G. Brandon Atkins of South Orange, NJ; the pride of his life, grandson Jordan Montgomery Atkins of South Orange, NJ; his former wife Regina Vaughn; beloved and devoted cousins Deborah Boyd and Audrey Spann of Philadelphia; adored god-daughter Dana Spann of Mays Landing, NJ, and her father Jeff Spann of Washington, DC; cousins Maurice Bueno of Philadelphia and Ray-mon Bueno of San Jose, California. And a host of friends and colleagues. Dad, Mr. Johnson, Pop-Pop, and Chuck will be loved and forever missed.