Carlton Johnson, Jr.

Carl was born on the West Point Military Base, West Point, NY to Carlton Johnson, Sr. (wife, mother, Thelma).  He was raised in Clarksburg, MD on Comus Road near the foot of Sugarloaf Mountain.  Carl graduated from Montgomery College in Germantown, MD.  He went on to pursue a career in Fish & Wildlife Conservation and graduated from The National School of Conservation, Washington, DC in December 1971.  

Carl's joy in nature reminded him of how great his Heavenly Father was and was a great influence on his life and searching always for simplicity guided by his abiding Faith.  With his best friend from The Brotherhood, Charles Howdyshell, Carl was a member of a muzzle loading early colonial era club called The Patuxent’s.  Together they had more than 30 years of outdoor adventures, including re-enactments of the Revolutionary War. 

Carl's father taught him to become a Trim Carpenter by Trade.  Like father, like son, Carl and his father had a very close bond to one another.  Carl would go on to be known for his expertise as a Trim Carpenter.  

Carl lived in Statesville, NC for roughly 19 years where he became Lay Leader and Sunday School Leader under the guidance of his good friend, confidante, Pastor Gervase Hitch.  Carl's devotion to Midway United Methodist Church (now Midway Church) for 10 years was unwavering.  He never missed a Sunday!  Carl saw the good in everyone.  Friends say, " The way Carl lived his life is a good testimony for all of us to follow."

After living in Statesville, NC, Carl moved to Fancy Gap, VA and it was here Carl hoped to fulfill his last journey's adventure.  Carl was a lifetime Historian and his special place in VA was Buffalo Mountain with its rich history!  Jeremiah Johnson was Carl's favorite movie, especially the theme music, in which he would get an emotional gaze.   He enjoyed many Westerns and was especially fond of the characters Festus and Doc Adams in the long-running series, Gunsmoke.  Carl appreciated living in Fancy Gap near Boot Hill Cemetery.

Carl's favorite word was "pondering."  He would sit in his wooden rocker on the back porch along the Blue Ridge Mountains in the towering pines and feel cooler by the mountain breezes while listening to Real News on his radio with Banjo at his feet.  Carl enjoyed watching his feathered friends take flight to and from the feeders where he made sure there was an abundance of seed for his many song birds.  Carl and his dog, Banjo, a mix of Poodle and Schnauzer, were the best of friends.

Perhaps you will take a moment to listen to the theme song to Jeremiah Johnson and get to know Carl just a little and why "pondering" was important to do from time to time.  Carl would finally say, "It's not about a long time, it's about a good time."

Carl is survived by his 22-year life partner, Bonnie Mary Carroll; two daughters from a previous marriage, Sadie Johnson (loving companion, Alex) and her children, Myra and Damien; and Heather Johnson and her children; two brothers, Kyle Johnson (wife Debbie) of Sharpsburg, MD; and Duane Johnson (son CJ) of Waynesboro, PA; one Aunt, Shirley of Frederick, MD; best friend from The Brotherhood, Charles Howdyshell (Root) (wife Rhonda) of Middlebrook, VA.

You may wish to donate in memory of Carl to Midway Methodist Church, 1200 Midway Road Statesville, NC 28625, c/o Pat Scharpe.  Nicholson Funeral Home has the honor of serving the family.