John Spencer Johnson

John passed away peacefully in Poway, CA, on September 11, 2012, following a courageous battle with GBM cancer. He was 55. At his side was his loving wife of 35 years, Linda, his oldest daughter, Janine, and mother-in-law, Myriam Hume.
John was born on June 1, 1957, in San Francisco, CA, at Mt. Zion Hospital to long time Pacificans (near San Francisco), Marvin and Diane Hadley-Johnson. He was born on a Saturday afternoon as his father was watching (and awaiting) a baseball game. This must be why John was such an avid Giants fan. He moved to Pacifica, CA, with his parents on February 1, 1958, and lived there until he entered the United States Air Force in 1977.
John attended school in the Laguna Salada School District in Pacifica, CA, and entered Terra Nova High School where he graduated in 1975. While at Terra Nova, he played football and ran track. When playing football he wore No. 43, the number of his favorite defensive back on the Washington Redskins. In track he ran the mile relay and the hurdles, setting a school record in the Intermediates that can never be beaten, as the race was eliminated from competition. He earned a MVP title and set three TN records in the high hurdles his senior year (which cost his father a new pair of track shoes each time). In order to participate in sports, he overcame a disability of his feet. His mother and brother Mike provided physical therapy and John wore corrective shoes for many years. The doctors thought he would have trouble walking. He proved his doctors wrong.
After entering the Air Force and completing basic training, he was assigned to Davis-Monthan Air Force Base in Tucson, AZ. He then married his high school sweetheart, Linda Hume (Terra Nova 1976). They settled and bought their first home. Their first daughter, Janine Antoinette, was born in 1979. John attended Pima Community College and received his AA degree. This and all other education was done on a time table that only allowed him to attend classes at night. Later he earned his BS degree from San Diego State in Computer Science. Complicating this were his moves for employment from Tucson, AZ, to Denver, CO, to Mira Mesa to Poway, CA. During this time, a second daughter was born in 1987, Christine Monet. John was proud to support Poway during his daughters elementary through high school years. While both girls attended Poway High, he enjoyed watching his oldest daughter, Janine, cheering throughout her high school years for the football team and enjoyed those games. John enjoyed their youngest daughter, Christine, as a Grapalette for Poways Wrestling Team and immensely enjoyed the annual Wrestling Tournament.
John was a strong, disciplined man showing leadership qualities and determination. He became an Eagle Scout with two palms at age 17. His abilities would lead him to become a Vice President and Manager of Trust Technology at Union Bank, where he managed staff in multiple offices, based in San Diego, San Francisco and the Los Angeles area. He was well respected in his field and by his colleagues and employees alike.
John is survived by his wife, Linda; daughters, Janine (Ken) Jordan and Christine; parents, Marvin and Diane Hadley-Johnson; brothers, Michael (Terry) and Scot (Fiancé, Merrie); mother and brothers-in-law, Myriam, and Rick and Larry Hume; and numerous extended family.
John's wife Linda and daughters will provide a "Celebration of Life" reception on Sunday, October 21, 2012, in Poway (San Diego). Details on website: Caringbridge.com under John "The Duke" Johnson.
On Monday, October 22, 2012, John will be laid to rest with Military Honors at Miramar National Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in honor of John S. Johnson to: Dr. Santosh Kesari's Brain Tumor Research Fund at UC San Diego, 3855 Health Sciences Drive, MC0819, La Jolla, CA 92093-0819, (858) 822-7524. Website info: ucsd.edu/about/Pages/online-giving.aspx.