Charles Johnson was a good friend of the family and law parner of my father Charles M. Stokes, before they both became judges in Seattle.   Charles was a mentor to me and all the other young lawyers coming up after him in Washington state.   He stood for Equal Justice for All and fairness for all people. 

Judge Johnson was a hero for our community and America.  He was strategic in dismantling racism in our community.  He was a great collaborator.  His laugh was contagious and he was always thoughtful.  We will miss him 
Norman and Constance

Judge Charles V. Johnson was a practicing trial lawyer in an office with my father Charles M. Stokes for years before they both  became judges.     Their examples of successful attorneys and businessmen in Seattle during my formative years were very important role models for me to engage in litigation to represent American citizens of all stripes in my life.      Indeed, he and Stokey were a founders of the Loren Miller Law club with 11 other black attorneys in 1968.     My wife Daphne and our attorney friends started the African American Lawyers Association of Hawaii in 1988.    My condolences to all of his family from our family.    Charles V. Johnson will be missed by many for his many valuable contributions to the community in Seattle.  

It is not often that one is friends with parents AND their offspring but such is my relationship with Judge & Mrs. Johnson, Tracey and Terry.  The Johnsons (parents) sat on the same pew at our church (First AME) even before I became a member in 1973.  At FAME, we members knew & honored their pew and if perchance they were a few minutes late for service and some un-informed guests attended, Usher Marie Allen would put her coat on it to reserve their seats until the Johnsons arrived.  When my daughter, L'Erin, co-authored a book with Shaun Spearmon about outstanding men of African descent in Seattle during their senior year in high school, Judge Johnson was of course at the top of her list along with many of the men he mentored.   Both of them were active church members.   I asked Mrs. Johnson to participate in the African American history service that I began at FAME years ago and I'd picked her up to bring her to the church for rehearsals.  Judge Johnson supported her in whatever she did and that appeared to be reciprocal.  They were the consummate couple and Lazelle lovingly called the Judge "Himself."  She told me a few years ago that "Himself" could still walk into a room and her heart would go pitter patter!  65 years married and still very much in love.  Though I happily cooked Southern meals (including pound cake) and took to them in recent months, I regret that I didn't get back over with his favorite desert--peach cobbler.  But all that is now resolved as he rests in the loving arms of Jesus.  Rest in peace & power, Judge Johnson.  You left your "footprints on the sands of time" and on our hearts.  When we gather again at FAME, we'll keep your bride company on your pew.

I have fond memories of running into Judge Johnson with his daughter and my friend Tracy on walks in the community. Their clear admiration and love for one another and joy with spending time together  always touched me, each time I saw them!

Love to the Johnson family and may God continue to bless and keep you.

Love,
Tonia Scott Davis and Christopher Davis

There are no words that could possibly capture the love, respect and admiration I have for Charles Vernon Johnson, my Godfather. He was  the patriarch of our family and always very wise. He once said to me "You can have a lot of money, but if you do not have moral, values, and integrity your money is worthless."   My heart is heavy and as I close with the last paragraph of Invictus-

"It matters not how strait the gate, 
How charged with punishments the scroll, I am the master of my fate, I am the captain of my soul."

Rest In Perfect Love Vernon... You are loved and will be missed.

Dear Ms. Lazelle and Family, 
Losing a husband and father is difficult even when the life was long and well-lived. But, it must be even harder during these challenging times.  My husband and I send our condolences, love and prayers to you during this difficult time. 

When I think of Judge Johnson, I always think of a gracious, dignified, southern gentleman committed to making this world better. When I moved to Seattle in the 1990’s Judge Johnson embraced me as he had so many young lawyers before. He modeled commitment to justice, community, and tireless leadership. He made me and countless others want to be better.  We know this commitment to community came at some sacrifice for his family. Thank you for sharing him. 

In prayer and love,
Marcella Fleming Reed


I would like to extend my sincerest condolences to the Johnson family.  He opened doors for many. He was loved by many and will be missed by many.  I was blessed to have known such a great man. May you take your Rest in our Father's arms. You are gone but never will I forget you.

Regards, 
Meshia AKA Meech

Judge Johnson was a close friend and role model for my husband Norman B Rice.  He was the personal hero for Norman during their 50 year friendship.   Norman was sworn in as Mayor by Judge Johnson.  Lazelle and Norman worked together in the sixties at the Seattle Urban League.  We derived so much joy with son Jimm and daughters Terry and Tracey.  Our family mourns a giant of a man but his actions and deeds linger in our hearts minds and soul.
Norman and Constance

I want to express  my sincerest condolences to all the family. Judge Johnson was a great man and a leader in the community. I will truly miss him. R. I. Power Judge Johnson ❤️😇🙏🏽

I feel eternally blessed to have been a friend to the Johnson family over these many years.  I first met Judge Johnson when he swore me in as an attorney with the Washington State Bar Association.  I recall spending hours with Judge Johnson telling me about his career and life for a Loren Miller Bar Association project.  My  sorors and Link sisters, Mrs. Lazelle and Terri and eventually Tracy became a part of my village in Seattle.  I will remember Judge Johnson's beautiful spirit.  He touched many people with his courage, thoughtfulness, brilliancy, warmth, intelligence, and moral character.   Judge Johnson was a true servant leadership.  He will be missed.  

Judge Faye R. Chess, Seattle Municipal Court. 

Judge Charles V.,  Thank you for all of the good you have done.  God bless your spirit. Rest in peace.
Bill Bradford

Judge Johnson was a role model  who worked in his  community,  and in his church .   He has mentored many  young men  and women
in the legal field.   We will truly miss him sitting in his seat, on the 
left side of the church.    He was blessed to have a loving family who
adored him .  We know that the heavens opened up to welcome him
home.   May he rest in peace!

Blessings to the family and loved ones of His Honor. Judge Johnson was an amazing friend and mentor. He will be missed by his "family" in the legal community. 

I want to thank each and every one of you for sharing such a wonderful  man with me.  Uncle Vernon  has always shared  his  wealth  of knowledge , a kind word, encouraging thoughts and a great hug. Oh, and how can I forget  a great  piece  of pound cake. Glad he gave me the recipe.  I  love  you all. I know what it means to be a Daddy's  girl Tracy  and Terri so I   say a special  daddy's  girls prayer for you. My heart sends you strength  and  comfort  Jimmi, I will  praying be 
 consistently.  Aunty  Zel, I  am just a phone call away. What a magical  couple  and example  you were. I  cherish  you and I  am here for you. May God comfort  and give you strength  through  this  time and as the days grow long, may he put joy  unspeakable joy in your heart whenever your thoughts bring sorrow, may there be that joy and memories  of light of your life partner. God allowed us all our own special  and amazing 
time with  this fantastic guy.  What a gem of magnificent 
memories.  Forever  in our hearts.
Love  you always,
Tandy

I had the honor of working with Judge Johnson his final year at Juvenile Court as his bailiff.  He was such a wonderful and kind man.  I could not have worked for a more thoughtful, caring and humble human being.  Judge Johnson is one of the reasons I am a teacher today.  He inspired me to do better in this world.  I will miss Judge Johnson and am truly blessed to have had the privilege of knowing him.

Life is much better with people we meet along the way.  Thank you Mr. Johnson I will always remember many of the memories you shared with me. You and your family will always have a special place in my heart.

My deepest Condolences to the family.

College  Classmate  UAPB 1954 and  Fraternity brother

Rest in Peace Judge Johnson, Your tireless work for Odessa Brown Children's Clinic and the community will always be remembered.
You are loved,
Gloria and George Northcroft



Dearest Lazelle, Terri, Traci and Jimmie:
My deep regret at not being able to console you more because I  am now living in Los Angeles, California, where COVID-19 rages.  Please  allow this additional note to aid ‘n comfort each of you.  Our many stories  of priceless times could fill a legal treatise.   
Thank you for your sacrifices that resulted in sharing him with so many of us.  Blessings come in the form of memories, I believe, and you have so many lovely ones.  

All my love, Monica Jane Benton

It was an honor and a privilege for Bob and I  to be part of Judge Johnson’s staff in Department # 3 of The Municipal Court of Seattle. 
To Lazelle, Tracy, Terry, Jimm and Family, our deepest condolences. 
Rest In Peace Your Honor
Bob White and Rita Daly-White

To the family of Judge Charles V. Johnson
To his devoted and loving wife and family:
May God Give You Strength to bear this loss as only He can do,
And grant His Loving comfort to your family and to you
This world is a better place because of the life and legacy of Judge Charles  V. Johnson:  He will never be forgotten
With deepest sympathy

May God's angels wrap you in their loving care and bring you contentment and peace on your next journeys.
Judge Johnson is a precious jewel in Seattle's communities.  Keep his legacy alive.

My condolences to the family, you all are in my prayers. I will miss the times I spent with you and your wife, Lazelle at Lake Chelan.
Patsy Hampton 

I'm still grateful 33 years ago today Judge Johnson performed our wedding at the courthouse.  We couldn't get up there during the week,  and I called many judges looking for one that would work on a Saturday,  and he was the only one kind enough to agree.  Thank you, and we're still married!

I will always remember Judge Johnson as a stately presence no matter the scenario.  Kind and approachable, he embolden the very spirit of blessed to be a blessing, through everything that he touched.  He was simply a living legacy  of commitment, faithfulness and trusteeship.

WASHINGTON SUPREME COURT STATEMENT ON THE PASSING OF JUDGE CHARLES V. JOHNSON

On December 29, 2020, Washington’s judicial branch lost a legal and civil rights icon with the passing of Judge Charles V. Johnson.

With a judicial career spanning nearly 30 years, beginning at Seattle Municipal Court in 1969 and retirement from the King County Superior Court in 1998, Judge Johnson’s influence far surpassed the boundaries of where he served. 

Judge Johnson improved justice not only in our state, but throughout the nation.

Serving as presiding judge of King County Superior Court, Judge Johnson and his team reduced a 68,000 case backlog.  He shared that model with courts throughout the nation during his tenure as President of the American Judges Association.  

Through his work with the National Center for State Courts and as a founding member of the Washington Supreme Court’s Gender and Justice Task Force, he promoted justice, equity, and peace.

His award and honors are too numerous to count.  They include the Seattle King County Bar Association’s Outstanding Judge Award and the National Center for State Courts Distinguished Service Award, both in 1991. He was also awarded the Municipal League of King County Public Official of the Year, and the Washington State Bar Association’s Outstanding Judges Award in 1994. 

Following retirement, he continued work to eliminate racial and ethnic bias, as he did prior to joining the bench and as a leader in both the local and national chapters of the NAACP.   

As this Court continues its mission to take steps to address racial inequities, we pause in this moment to honor those whose life work was aimed at this mission.  

We express our gratitude, and our sympathies are with his wife Lazelle and family as they mourn his passing.  

His legacy will live on.

*Edited for posting requirements – for the full statement please visit www.courts.wa.gov 


I'm reflecting on the life of Uncle Vernon and praying for our family and his friends.  Enjoy this beautiful photo of him and Aunt Lazelle from our family reunion in Las Vegas.  We will miss him and treasure the time we had with him.

Love, Lynnette Johnson Williams and Todd Williams

OBITUARY

Judge Charles Vernon Johnson

June 11, 1928 – December 29, 2020

Sunset Hills Memorial Park & Funeral Home

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