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Medical technologist, world traveler
Carl English Johnson, a resident of Claremont since 1966, died on March 9, 2008 at Pilgrim Place. He was recently diagnosed with cancer and died peacefully, surrounded by his family.
Born at home in Donaldsonville, Louisiana on August 2, 1929, Mr. Johnson was raised in Port Gibson, Mississippi and Opelousas, Louisiana. When graduating from high school, the then-president of Scripps College spoke at his commencement ceremony. After high school, Mr. Johnson earned a degree in biology from the Southwestern Louisiana Technical Institute. During the Korean War, he served in the Air Force Medical Corps in Biloxi, Mississippi.
In 1966, Mr. Johnson, along with his wife and daughters, moved to Claremont, and purchased an old grove house on Towne Avenue near Baseline Road. As a medical technologist, he worked at several hospitals including City of Hope, Ontario Community Hospital and Cal Poly Pomona Student Health Services.A travel enthusiast, Mr. Johnson visited distant places around the globe, leaving only the Middle and Far East unexplored: “pretty much everywhere,” said his daughter, M. Nell Dalton. He also loved the theater and symphony. An active community volunteer, he worked with several organizations including Reading for the Blind and Dyslexic and Meals on Wheels.
Mr. Johnson is survived by his wife of 46 years, Catherine Johnson of Claremont; by his daughters and sons-in-law, M. Nell and Joseph Dalton of Caldwell, Idaho and Anne and James Wahl of Hayden, Idaho; by his 3 grandchildren, Erin and Kieran Dalton and Becky Reyes; and by his grandson-in-law, Rene Reyes.
Funeral services were held on March 14, 2008 at Pilgrim Congregational Church in Pomona.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to VNA & Hospice of Southern California, 150 W. First St., Suite 270, Claremont, CA 91711; to Pilgrim Place, 660 Avery Rd., Claremont, CA 91711; or to Reading for the Blind and Dyslexic, 1844 W. Eleventh St., Unit C, Upland, CA 91786.
