Charles A. Johnson was born January 19, 1931, in Kansas City, Missouri, to John Downing Johnson, Jr., and the former Mary Elizabeth Dickinson. He passed away on August 25, 2023, in Scottsdale, Arizona, leaving a legacy of remarkable achievements and a lifetime of cherished memories.

Charles graduated from Ponca City High School and received a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Oklahoma. In 1955, he earned his Bachelor of Laws from the University of Oklahoma College of Law. While attending OU, he enlisted in the Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) in the U.S. Air Force (USAF). Upon graduation from law school, he was called to active duty. When he was released from active duty, he began his practice of law while remaining in the JAG Reserve Component of the USAF for over 30 years, retiring in 1984 after attaining the rank of Colonel. During his service, he was awarded the Distinguished Service Medal and the Legion of Merit.

During his college days at OU, one of his most enjoyable associations was his college fraternity, Phi Gamma Delta (FIJI). While there he was fortunate to bond with other FIJI brothers who became lifelong friends and peers. Such connections proved to be a great blessing in Charles’ life and one of his proudest experiences. These connections resulted in many personal and professional friends and colleagues which continued throughout his life. Charles never failed to give thanks and praises to those who lent him a “helping hand” along the way. He stated many times how “fortunate” he has been in his life and, for the most part, it was the direct result of human kindness and brotherly love from others. He always tried to “pay it forward” throughout his life’s journey by helping others as he had been helped.

In 1953 Charles married Jane A. Wilkinson and they had two children; a son, Michael Downing Johnson, born February 4, 1956, and a daughter, Lori Jill Brennan, born September 16, 1959. They raised their children in Ponca City, Oklahoma, divorcing in 1983.

Charles began his practice of law in Pawhuska, Oklahoma, later moving to Ponca City, Oklahoma, where he started a solo law practice, later becoming a senior partner at the firm of Phipps, Johnson, Holmes, & Hermanson. In 1985, Charles married Jan Grant-Johnson in New York City. Together, they blended their families, practiced law, and shared many interests including law, music, travel, sports, skiing, church, food, good friends, wine, and roses. You could say those were their days and nights of wine and roses and life was so good for the 39 years they had together.

During those years, they knew the joys and sadness of family dynamics and leaned on each other in both good and bad times. Jan had two sons, Monte and Edward Grant. Monte was the same age as Charles’ son, Michael, and Edward (Eddie) was away at college. Charles and Jan made many trips to Arizona to see Eddie play football at Arizona State. They both became enamored with the beautiful Southwest, unaware at that time that their life’s journey would one day cause them to call Scottsdale, AZ their home. Their travels also included trips to Colorado, where Charles’ daughter and family lived, and where they all enjoyed skiing and visiting their condo in Vail.

In November 1989, then Governor Henry Bellmon appointed Charles to the Oklahoma Court of Criminal Appeals (COCA), the court of last resort for all criminal cases in Oklahoma. At that time, Oklahoma expanded that Court of three judges to five judges. Judge Johnson served 25 years on Judicial District No. 2, including three terms as Presiding Judge. In 1993, the Oklahoma Trial Lawyers Association named Judge Johnson the Outstanding Appellate Judge of the Year.

Life was good and blessings were bountiful during those 25 years Charles served on the Court and Jan had a family law practice in Norman, OK. Michael Johnson had returned to college, received his J.D. from OU College of Law in 2006 and became a partner with Jan in the Johnson Law Firm but there were hard times too. Charles and Jan lost two of their sons. Monte died in 1997 and Mike died in 2015; each leaving grandchildren for Charles and Jan to cherish and love. For a short while, after Charles retired from the Court in 2014, he knew the joy of returning to the practice of law with Jan and Michael by being “of counsel” in Johnson Law Firm, the firm he had originally established when he first began the practice of law 60 years prior. In 2015, he was inducted as an Honorary Member of the Order of the Coif, University of Oklahoma Chapter.

Throughout his life, Charles served his church, his community, and the legal profession. He was President of the Kay County Bar Association in 1971-72; was selected as one of three Outstanding Young Oklahomans honored by the Oklahoma Junior Chamber of Commerce; served as a member and chairman of the Oklahoma Alcoholic Beverage Control Board; was an Elder and Sunday School teacher at his church for many years; was an active member of the Oklahoma and American Bar Association, together with the Oklahoma Trial Lawyers Association; contributed his time to the YMCA, Kay County Guidance Association, Boy Scouts, United Fund and various civic organizations. But his family did not know him by his “seeming greatness” but, rather, by his “simple goodness.”

After Judge Johnson’s retirement and that of his wife, Jan Grant-Johnson, they moved to Scottsdale, AZ in 2016 to be near to their only surviving son, Edward (Jacquelyn) Grant and their family. In Scottsdale, Colonel Johnson became a member of the American Legion, Post #44, and enjoyed friendship with so many veterans— especially his Friday men’s group luncheon which he shared with so many of his closest friends.

Judge Johnson is survived by his beloved wife, Jan Grant-Johnson of the home; daughter, Lori Jill Brennan, Bennett, CO; stepson Edward (Jacquelyn) Grant of Scottsdale, AZ; many grandchildren and great grandchildren, brothers-in-law, Gary (Joan) Thrailkill of Norman, OK, and Monte Joe Thrailkill of Monroe, LA; nieces and nephews, and dear friends and colleagues.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his brother, John Downing Johnson III; his son, Michael Downing Johnson; his son-in-law Jerry Brennan; his nephew, Greg Johnson; and his stepsons, Monte Lee Grant and Ray Dean (Bubba) Grant.

Our family is so deeply proud of him and have been so blessed by the life he has led, the love he gave to each, his services, and his accomplishments. We have all observed the dignity and respect he has received and his commitment to God, to his country, and to his fellow man, and also the humbleness with which he received such. Now that this earthly journey is over, we say: “Well done my good and faithful servant – Now, Go rest high on that mountain – Your work on earth is done.”

Charles did not want any memorial services upon his death. He chose to be cremated and to have his ashes eventually interred with those of his wife, Jan, and returned to Oklahoma for burial. Our special thanks to Molly Reid, Charles’ former Administrative Assistant on the Court, for all her assistance to the family. Anyone wanting to make a donation is encouraged to choose a charity of their choice or give to the Oklahoma Bar Association in his memory. Condolences may be expressed to the family at jgjlaw@sbcglobal.net.

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