Charlie Johnson

World War II Veteran Grand Marshal
HAV Veterans Day Parade 2025

Charlie Johnson
Phoenix, AZ

Charlie Johnson was a man whose life journey, from the battlefields of World War II to the streets of Cleveland and the hospitals of Arizona, was defined by an extraordinary commitment to service. Born on June 28, 1921, in Clarksburg, West Virginia, Johnson’s lifelong ethos of duty was forged early in his military career.

Drafted on August 1, 1942, shortly after Pearl Harbor, he resolved “to be the best soldier the Army had.” His potential quickly propelled him from an infantry rifle platoon to learning Morse code and, eventually, training men for the Transportation Corps. He proudly served in the South Pacific from 1942 to 1945, including assignments in New Guinea, Hollandia, and the Philippines, where he loaded cargo onto a single, unescorted ship destined for action.

After the war, Johnson and his wife settled in Cleveland, Ohio, where he supported their five children by driving a streetcar and bus, opening a barbershop next to his wife’s beauty salon, and working at the Post Office to secure their family home.

However, the next chapter of his life became his enduring legacy. In a powerful conversion to Catholicism, Johnson’s innate calling to serve the community came to the forefront. In 1952, he opened a small storefront mission that evolved into the St. Martin De Porres Center, where he provided food for the hungry, clothing for the needy, and educational opportunities for local youth and seniors. Under his leadership as Executive Director, and with support from the Bishop and local businesses, the center expanded into a significant community resource.

He then transitioned his service into the church, becoming a Permanent Deacon in 1972, one of the first in the Diocese, a role from which he retired in 1994. From 1990, he also served as a Board Certified Chaplain in multiple hospitals, retiring from Banner Hospital in 2015 at the remarkable age of 94.

To this day, Charlie Johnson maintains an active life, enjoying golf, painting, and especially archery. He was a multi-medal recipient in archery, highlighted by a feature at the Las Vegas Shootout when he was 101. He resides in Phoenix, Arizona, with his wife, Bonnie, a fellow Chaplain.