Chancie Curtis Johnson, Sr.

Chancie worked all his life, starting with newspaper routes in the 1970’s. He tried working at a fast food restaurant and worked for a while at the A&W Root Beer shop in Gary. He left that job because the cost of all the food he ate would many times leave him with a negative paycheck. Immediately after high school, Chancie enlisted with the United States Air Force and traveled the world. He rose to the rank of Master Sargent and was proud to receive an honorable military discharge after 20 years of service.

After leaving the Air Force, Chancie started his career with the United States Post office. Instead of retiring in 2017, Chancie worked hard to purchase his first home and started planning his later years. His plan was to move to the Waco area so he could spend his time DJing, visiting with his grandchildren and getting to know his son, Odis, whom he recently connected with and wanted to start building that relationship. He never complained about pain and worked until the day he died. Chancie passed away suddenly and unexpectedly at home. Our shock and grief is beyond words.

Chancie is not alone in Heaven and was preceded in death by his sister, Windy; his parents, Johnnie & Thelma; grandparents, Chancie and Helen; and uncles that he fondly remembered all his life who use to toughen him up with an occasional beatdown for no reason—just to keep him tough: JJ, Chancie Jr., Ronald & James Louis.

Chancie leaves behind his children: Chancie Curtis Johnson, Jr., Ronald Johnson, Thelma Johnson, and Odis Shine; three grandchildren, Tobiyah Johnson, Joni Johnson, and Jamaal Shine; sisters, Sherri Redmond, Dianna Young, Desera Bonney, and C. Nina Ross; nephews, Marcus Johnson, Larry Anazia, Ronald Merkerson, James Amadikwu; and many, many friends and family members.