John Calvin Johnson

John Calvin Johnson was born on July 10, 1935, to the union of Corrine Greer Johnson, and Calvin Johnson, in Anniston, Alabama. John was also lovingly known as “Pops,” “Calvin,” and “Grandpa Calvin” to his family and friends throughout his life. His family migrated West in 1947, ultimately placing their roots in Oakland, (and Castro Valley) California, which remained John’s home base for the next seventy-seven years. John was proud of his Alabama roots, and had a passion for his family’s genealogy, but if you were to ask John where he was from, he would proudly say, “Oakland.”

John completed his education at institutions throughout the Bay Area, which allowed him to thrive in his career and beyond. John graduated from Oakland Technical High School in 1953. Upon graduation, John enlisted in the United States Army, and was stationed in Germany. After completing his tour of duty, John returned to the Bay Area, where he met the love of his life, Gladys, raised his family, continued his education, and built a remarkable career based on his passion for the military and aeronautics.

John ultimately landed at Lockheed’s Missile and Space Division in Sunnyvale, California, where he had an illustrious thirty-year career. While at Lockheed, John’s passion and intellectual curiosity led him to seek higher education. He graduated from Laney College and studied at the University of San Francisco.

Upon retiring from Lockheed, John was able to lean further into spending time with his family and friends and pursuing his interests and hobbies. John, an avid golfer, often sought out opportunities to play some of the best and challenging courses across the world.

John was a man of few words, but whoever crossed paths with him, found him magnetic and easy to love. He passed away on May 31, 2024, after a long, courageous battle with Parkinson’s disease. He will be sorely missed by his family, friends, and community.

John was preceded in death by his parents Calvin Johnson and Corrine McMillian, his brother Carl Johnson and beloved aunt Helen Greer. He leaves to mourn his lifelong partner, Gladys E. Johnson, daughter, Sonja Johnson, son, Michael (Haydee) Johnson, two grandchildren Erica Williams and Geoffrey (Allie) Williams, Sister-in-law, Betty (Manuel) Tyler, and brothers-in-law, Earlton Hadnot, and Terrell (Effie) Hadnot, niece, Kia Perry, nephew, Greg Perry, special cousins, James (Dee) Sims, Sara Marie Woods, Sheri Taylor, the Sims and Sparks family members, as well as a host of other relatives, loved ones, friends, and neighbors.

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