Carl Warren Johnson

Carl Johnson Jr, age 88,  passed away July 5th 2025 at the Victory ridge Hospice center in Dayton Ohio. Dad (Grandpa Carl) was born March 6, 1937 in Honolulu Hawaii to Carl and Francis Johnson. Dad had many fond memories of growing up with his cousins, Aunts and Uncles near Hanaumu bay on the Island of O’ahu, swimming and spear fishing in the bay. The family lived in Hawaii until dad was 11 years old at which time his parents bought a farm near Stanley Wisconsin. Carl was born to be in the outdoors and loved the farm life. He loved Nature, hunting on the family farm and fishing in the many lakes and streams nearby. 

Carl graduated in 1955 from Thorp High School in Thorp Wisconsin where he played football . As a teenager, he worked on the family farm harvesting crops and milking cows. After selling the farm, his parents bought the Thorp Diner. The Diner was truly a family business and Dad worked at the Diner every day after school peeling potatoes and making ice cream. After graduating from high School, dad was employed at the local sawmill for about a year until he enlisted in the United States Airforce in 1957. Carl served as a medic in the Airforce for 20 years. While stationed at Wright Patterson Airforce base near Dayton Ohio, Carl met the love of his life, Beatrice Tull and they were Married August 10, 1957. Carl and Bea were married for 67 years and had 4 children, Greg Johnson of Bonners Ferry Idaho, Mark Johnson of Springfield Ohio, David Johnson of Colorado Springs CO and Kimberly Powell of Manitou Springs CO. He is survived by his wife Beatrice, and all his children, 5 Grand children, Heather Johnson of Littlefield Texas, Shane Johnson of Colorado Springs CO, Travis Johnson and wife Taylor of Dublin NH, Jessica Stolley and husband Travis of Bonners Ferry, Idaho and Mark Johnson jr of Austin Texas. Additionally he is survived by 4 Great Grandchildren, Alex and Kaylee Stolley, Bonners Ferry Idaho, Conner Johnson, Colorado SprIngs CO and Nora Johnson, Dublin NH. In 1965 Dad was sent to Vietnam assigned to the 57 th Air medical evacuation squadron where he flew many missions evacuating wounded soldiers from the field. Dad was sent back to Vietnam via Thialand in 1967 with the 902nd Air medical evacuation squadron. Dad rarely spoke of his experiences in Vietnam but in the end, the haunted him. Other assignments during his career included Germany, the Phillipines and Guam with temporary duty assignments in Turkey, Okinawa and various locations in Europe and the Middle east. Stateside assignments included Virginia, Ohio, California and Colorado. In 1975 Dad retired from the Airforce and the family settled in Colorado Springs Colorado. After retiring from the Airforce Dad worked as a Mechanic before buying an Amoco Station in Manitou Springs Colorado. Dad eventually sold the station and went to work for the Manitou Springs Police Department where he served for 10 years attaining the positions of training officer and assistant Chief before retiring again and relocating with Beatrice back to Springfield Ohio. Dad loved Nature and the outdoors. He was an avid hunter and fisherman spending many hours with his kids and grandkids hunting, camping and fishing in Ohio, Colorado and Idaho. In his later years he did less hunting but pursued his passion for shooting sports right to the end. Dad, we will miss your infectious laughter, your companionship and the love that you had for life and for your family.