Charles Johnson passed away peacefully at his home on July 11th, 2026. Chuck was born February 6th, 1938 in Ambrose, ND to Charles Peter Johnson and Erma Helen Johnson. He graduated from high school in Helena, MT, then attended the University of MN, majoring in bacteriology.

 Chuck joined the navy in 1959 for 4 years on the Wadleigh DD-689 ( destroyer), where he achieved captain. Chuck married Virginia Hand on May 21st, 1960 in Helena, MT. Chuck went on to study at the Mayo Clinic and become a surgeon. Chuck transitioned from active duty to owning a private practice and continuing his service in the reserves. Upon finishing his 20 years in the navy, President Reagan recruited him as a Colonel in the Air Force where he graduated air war college, He then became an Aerospace medical specialist commander. Charles earned several medals including but not limited to joint service commendation medal, Air Force longevity service award, National defense service award, armed forces honorary medal for Berlin crisis, and Top Knife fighter school for surgeons to learn how to take care of jet fighter pilots. He co-piloted jets and had a Cessna 180 plane with Ginny to explore the United States at will.

 He loved to camp, hunt, ski, motorcycling in Glacier Park, and wood working. Charles and Virginia retired in 1998 to Bigfork, MT. Chuck went on a hunting trip in Brooks Range in Alaska where he scored a very large Ram on a very steep mountainside. During one of his moves, he was asked why he was leaving, his reply was “ I just ran out of Jokes”.

 Charles is survived by his wife: Virginia Johnson ( Montrose, CO), daughter and son in law: Stacey and Mark Monahan ( Montrose, CO), son: Scott Johnson, ( Orlando, FL), sister and brother in law: Marcia and Pete Sadowski ( Woodbury, MN), nephew: Alex Sadowski ( Washington DC), brother: Steve Johnson (deceased).

Funeral arrangements TBD.