Obituary for Calvin Johnson
Calvin Sylvester Johnson was born January, 25, 1952, in Gibson, North Carolina and passed away on the evening of 24 May, 2022 at home, in the arms of his loving wife, after an extended illness.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Randolph and Jewell Johnson; brothers Randolph Johnson Jr, Lewis Johnson, Norman Johnson and sister Doris (Johnson) Polk.
He is survived by his wife, Vickie Johnson; and children, Veronica B. Johnson of Washington D.C., Calvin S. Rickson (Summer) of Basehor, Kan., and Sarah L. Johnson-Odele (Rasaq) of Clermont, Fla. Calvin is the loving grandfather of five grandchildren. He is also mourned by his sister, Nancy (Johnson) Monroe of Laurinburg, N.C.; and a host of loving nieces, nephews and cousins who will miss him.
Calvin and Vickie enjoyed a long and happy marriage of 43 years that began at Fort Benning, Georgia and embraced many military moves; while making lifelong friendships that turned into surrogate families. Calvin and Vickie made Leavenworth, Kansas their permanent home after his military retirement as a Colonel in the United States Army. Calvin was commissioned as a second Lieutenant in 1974 at North Carolina Agricultural and Technical University ROTC Program, with a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration. He held three Master’s Degrees; in Management and Computer Resource Management from Webster University, and a Master’s Degree in Strategic studies from the U.S. Army War College. During Calvin’s long and distinguished career, he served in leadership positions from platoon leader, Battery, Battalion and Division Artillery Commander, to Assistant Division Commander. He had an extensive background in Joint, Inter-agency, Intergovernmental and Multinational relationships. He is a graduate of the U.S. Army War College, Harvard University Senior Executives Fellows Programs, and many professional development schools and programs. Calvin enjoyed a rewarding career as a Department of the Army Civilian, and served as the Director, Mission Command Battle Laboratory (MCBL), Futures and Concept Center (FCC), and Army Futures Command (AFC) at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas. Calvin was responsible for program management and advanced research for the Mission Command Battle Lab to accelerate the capability and combat development process by determining and validating operational and concept requirements. Calvin was a decorated Army Officer with a Legion of Merit, Meritorious Service Medal with five oak leaf clusters, Army Commendation Medal with three oak leaf cluster, Joint Service, Commendation Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Army Achievement Medal with two oak leaf clusters, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, Armed Forces Reserve Medal w/M-Device, Kansas National Guard Service Ribbon, Army Superior Unit Award, North Atlantic Treaty Organization Medal, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Outstanding Young Men of America Award, Combined Arms Center Employee of the Year-1996, Civilian Exceptional Performance Awards (10 awards), Superior Civilian Service Award, and the Meritorious Civilian Service Award.
In addition to his military service and family life, Calvin enjoyed hunting and fishing, jazz music, serving his community and an occasional cigar with a two finger in his backyard. He was also an avid KC Royals baseball fan. Calvin was very involved in the community, he served as State and Local President, and life-member, of the Kansas Association of the United States (AUSA), served on the Leavenworth Lions’ Board of Directors and the Leavenworth County Historical Society Board of Directors, a Unit Commissioner and Eagle Scout of the Boy Scouts of America. Calvin was a devout member of his church and served as a lector on Saint Casimir Men’s Society. He was a fervent advocate of veterans affairs and served on the Governor of Kansas’ Military Advisory Committee. Calvin was also a life member of the Leavenworth NAACP, Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 56 and the Richard Allen Cultural Center and Museum.
He was highly respected and admired through his selfless efforts in giving back to his community. Calvin is loved, and will be missed by family, friends, and colleagues!
Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m., with the praying of the rosary at 7:30 p.m., Sunday, June 12, 2022, at the R. L. Leintz Funeral Home. Mass of Christian Burial will begin at 9:30 a.m. Monday, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church. Burial will follow at Leavenworth National Cemetery.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Randolph and Jewell Johnson; brothers Randolph Johnson Jr, Lewis Johnson, Norman Johnson and sister Doris (Johnson) Polk.
He is survived by his wife, Vickie Johnson; and children, Veronica B. Johnson of Washington D.C., Calvin S. Rickson (Summer) of Basehor, Kan., and Sarah L. Johnson-Odele (Rasaq) of Clermont, Fla. Calvin is the loving grandfather of five grandchildren. He is also mourned by his sister, Nancy (Johnson) Monroe of Laurinburg, N.C.; and a host of loving nieces, nephews and cousins who will miss him.
Calvin and Vickie enjoyed a long and happy marriage of 43 years that began at Fort Benning, Georgia and embraced many military moves; while making lifelong friendships that turned into surrogate families. Calvin and Vickie made Leavenworth, Kansas their permanent home after his military retirement as a Colonel in the United States Army. Calvin was commissioned as a second Lieutenant in 1974 at North Carolina Agricultural and Technical University ROTC Program, with a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration. He held three Master’s Degrees; in Management and Computer Resource Management from Webster University, and a Master’s Degree in Strategic studies from the U.S. Army War College. During Calvin’s long and distinguished career, he served in leadership positions from platoon leader, Battery, Battalion and Division Artillery Commander, to Assistant Division Commander. He had an extensive background in Joint, Inter-agency, Intergovernmental and Multinational relationships. He is a graduate of the U.S. Army War College, Harvard University Senior Executives Fellows Programs, and many professional development schools and programs. Calvin enjoyed a rewarding career as a Department of the Army Civilian, and served as the Director, Mission Command Battle Laboratory (MCBL), Futures and Concept Center (FCC), and Army Futures Command (AFC) at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas. Calvin was responsible for program management and advanced research for the Mission Command Battle Lab to accelerate the capability and combat development process by determining and validating operational and concept requirements. Calvin was a decorated Army Officer with a Legion of Merit, Meritorious Service Medal with five oak leaf clusters, Army Commendation Medal with three oak leaf cluster, Joint Service, Commendation Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Army Achievement Medal with two oak leaf clusters, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, Armed Forces Reserve Medal w/M-Device, Kansas National Guard Service Ribbon, Army Superior Unit Award, North Atlantic Treaty Organization Medal, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Outstanding Young Men of America Award, Combined Arms Center Employee of the Year-1996, Civilian Exceptional Performance Awards (10 awards), Superior Civilian Service Award, and the Meritorious Civilian Service Award.
In addition to his military service and family life, Calvin enjoyed hunting and fishing, jazz music, serving his community and an occasional cigar with a two finger in his backyard. He was also an avid KC Royals baseball fan. Calvin was very involved in the community, he served as State and Local President, and life-member, of the Kansas Association of the United States (AUSA), served on the Leavenworth Lions’ Board of Directors and the Leavenworth County Historical Society Board of Directors, a Unit Commissioner and Eagle Scout of the Boy Scouts of America. Calvin was a devout member of his church and served as a lector on Saint Casimir Men’s Society. He was a fervent advocate of veterans affairs and served on the Governor of Kansas’ Military Advisory Committee. Calvin was also a life member of the Leavenworth NAACP, Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 56 and the Richard Allen Cultural Center and Museum.
He was highly respected and admired through his selfless efforts in giving back to his community. Calvin is loved, and will be missed by family, friends, and colleagues!
Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m., with the praying of the rosary at 7:30 p.m., Sunday, June 12, 2022, at the R. L. Leintz Funeral Home. Mass of Christian Burial will begin at 9:30 a.m. Monday, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church. Burial will follow at Leavenworth National Cemetery.