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Theodore Michael Johnson Obituary
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Memories and Condolences
for Theodore Michael Johnson
Lesa Woodby
November 3, 2010
Dear Ted and family, I am very sorry to learn about the loss of your dad. I hope that your memories and the love of your family and friends will be a comfort to you. My thoughts and prayers are with you and yours.
Patricia Griffiths
November 2, 2010
May you all find peace and comfort in the days ahead as you grieve the loss of a great man. Love and light your way, Patty Griffiths, Alpharetta, GA
Katharina Echt
November 2, 2010
Wishing you and yours every comfort. My heart goes out to you.
Chaplain Brad Stetson
October 29, 2010
Ted and family: Please accept my deep condolences on your dad's passing. What a tremendous and inspiring life he led. God bless you all.
Lisa Bierly
October 29, 2010
A great man who will be missed by all who's lives he touched. Love to all of his family and friends.
David Colbert
October 29, 2010
What a heroic and generous life. Thank you for sharing this.
My thoughts are with you and your family.
Kendall Lockerman
October 29, 2010
What a beautiful legacy: a life well lived, a man beloved. Amen
Roy
October 29, 2010
I am so sorry for the loss of your dear loved one. It's comforting to know that God cares for all of us. The Bible gives us hope that one day we can see our loved ones again. On behalf of all mankind Jesus surrendered his soul. John 15:13 says “No one has love greater than this, that someone should surrender his soul on behalf of his friends.” Truly I am sorry to hear of the loss of your dear loved one and I hope these few words will bring you comfort and hope.
Ted Johnson
October 29, 2010
Theodore Michael Johnson, born December 26, 1936, died at home in Long Beach, California, on October 26, 2010, following a 4-month battle with prostate cancer.
Born in Norse, Montana, and raised in Portland, Oregon, Ted’s life changed when he contracted poliomyelitis in 1942. He used a wheelchair from his teen years onward. Never quitting and rarely complaining, Ted attended school at the Shriner’s Hospital for Children in Portland. From the moment his father put hand-controls on his very first car, he remained as independent as possible. With many colleges inaccessible, his University of Portland classmates would hoist Ted and his chair daily to Waldschmidt Hall classrooms on the third and fourth floors. After graduation (UP, 1958), he completed his MBA at UCLA in 1960.
Ted loved Southern California. He worked for 33 years at TRW, Inc., and cared deeply for the company and the people. He worked long hours, spoke fondly of his co-workers, and developed a reputation as a go-to person for senior management. He eventually became Controller of the Defense and Space Systems Group, but took his greatest pride in spotting young talent and mentoring. He gave of his time and lobbied others to give to organizations such as the National Association of Black Accountants, Inc. and Junior Achievement.
Even despite the physical difficulties, he traveled often for work and for fun went to Hong Kong, Hawaii, and the Caribbean. After he quit driving, he regularly rode public transit and fiercely advocated for accessibility standard enforcement.
Ted loved sports. He endured endless teasing by USC fans following their temporary successes, but remained true to UCLA. He rooted for the Lakers always, even during lean years.
Family always remained paramount for Ted. While family may not have always been related by blood, it made little difference to him. Ted is survived by his children Chelsea Michelle Johnson, Jennifer Lowery-Robertson and John Robertson, Theodore M. Johnson II and Susan Paul Johnson, and Suellen Kaye Boss; by sister Margaret Ellen Kennedy; and by grandchildren Ty and Gianni Robertson; Erin Rose, Bridget, and Margaret Johnson; Ben Johnson, Katie Casaletta, and Sarah Jane Johnson; and great-grandchildren Dylan Everly Rose Casaletta, Noah Michael Hendrix Casaletta, and Lorenzo Megrete. He played an important role in the lives of many children and held a large, extended family close to his heart.
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