Described as "a wonderful complex and thoughtful man with an incredible exuberance and joy for living," he was an administrative assistant III with the Associate Vice Chancellor's Office in Information Systems and Technology at the time of his death.

Johnson was born at Stanford Hospital on April 11, 1948 and grew up in Palo Alto. He attended Foothill Junior College before transferring and later graduating from Berkeley. He had worked on campus for 20 years.

"He loved the university environment with all its diversity and intellectual stimulation. He was a man who loved a lively discussion and he could always defend his point of view," said his wife, Marie Johnson, a senior benefits analyst. The two met when both were working in Financial Services.

In addition to his campus work, Johnson was concerned about the world around him and making it a better place to live in. He was active in the Lakeshore Avenue Baptist Church and fulfilling its missions. He was a member of the Stewardship Committee of the deaconate, a member of the choir and also of the Men's Fellowship.

A music lover, he also had a sense of social responsibility and worked toward social justice. In the last year, he was working on a ballot initiative to improve equity of justice in the area of white-collar crime.

Even after he was diagnosed with cancer, Johnson continued to work and participate fully in life. "Until the end, he remained positive and hopeful, demonstrating his wonderful strength of spirit and a quiet dignity and courage," said Marie Johnson.

In addition to his wife, he leaves three children, Donny, Christopher and Cherie-Claire; his mother, Gloria Johnson; three sisters, Brenda Johnson, Barbara Johnson and Patricia Johnson; his brothers, Celius Johnson and W. Henry Johnson; his nephew, Gary Hawkins, and many other relatives and friends.

The family requests that gifts in his memory be directed to Lakeshore Avenue Baptist Church. Gifts will be shared by the church and a trust fund to be established for the Johnson children.