Charles Johnson

Charles Harry Johnson, 58, of Madison, WI, crossed over in the presence of his family on 12/2/2014 at Agrace HospiceCare after a valiant battle with cancer. He was born on 3/16/1956 at St. Catherine's in Kenosha, WI, to Mary and Jack Johnson. Charlie grew up in Livonia, MI with his elder brother, Jeff, before moving back to Kenosha to graduate from Mary D. Bradford High School. He attended Michigan State University, and earned a BA in Industrial Design in 1983, shortly after marrying Bethany Brooke Welch of Ann Arbor, MI. The two relocated to Madison in 1984, and in 1987 were blessed with their first child, Alexander. Daughters Abigail and Alice followed in 1990 and 1992 respectively.
Charlie loved music, and if he could have done only one thing for his entire life, it probably would have been to make music with, and for, the people he cared about. He was, however, a man of many talents. He was a spectacular fisherman, an accomplished golfer, a wonder with wood. For over thirty years, he was sole proprietor of Charles Johnson Installations, a window treatment installation company. Charlie installed every window treatment in the Middleton VA Hospital, a great source of pride for him. Charlie loved to help create events, and was on the board of the Wisconsin Highland Games in Waukesha and Madison's Mad Celt Fest as well. He also volunteered at Milwaukee's Irish Fest as a stage manager for several years.
Charlie's political passions often lead him to the Square during the Walker protests, shouting through a megaphone - that he had convinced some unknowing soul to sell him - "Governor Walker, your Koch dealer is on line two!!" While not a religious man, Charlie found his spirituality through the time he spent in nature gardening and fishing, and through his music. The bands and groups with which he played, felt his presence unmistakably. Whether he was belting out Beatles tunes with "Get Back", crooning about loves and battles long gone by with "Stone Ring" or just rocking out at the Spring Jam didn't matter - his prowess behind a microphone was undeniable. So, in essence, Charlie sang in everything he did, and you can expect, that when you meet him on the other side, he'll already know all the best songs and good fishing holes. Hopefully, though, he'll have left the megaphone behind.
He is survived by his wife, Bethany (Madison); children, Alexander, Abigail and Alice (Madison); mother, Mary (Kenosha, WI) ; brother, Jeff (Albuquerque, NM) ; mother-in-law Sally Welch MacDonald (Madison); cousins Mary Beth Haubrich (Milwaukee, WI) and Thomas Dibble (Spring, TX). Charlie goes to join his father, Jack Edward Johnson, but leaves behind many dear friends, all of whom he loved very much.
Charlie was laid to rest in a private service on 12/6/2014 at Circle Cemetery near Barneveld, WI, with beloved pets Thor and Shadow, under a canopy of Oak trees. Circle Sanctuary was a joyful, spiritual place for Charlie and Beth; a place where some of the best times of their life together were spent. A wake/celebration is planned for the near future. The Johnsons wish to thank the Neurosurgical staff, Neuro Science ICU, the Acute Rehabilitation Floor, as well as the technicians and doctors of the Carbone Cancer Center at the University of Wisconsin Hospital and Clinics for their skill and kindness, and also the CNA's, nurses and staff at Agrace HospiceCare for their knowledge, empathy and candor. And, of course, all of Charlie's wonderful, generous, grieving friends. Without you, we could not have weathered the last six months. Thank you.
All that is gold does not glitter,
Not all those who wander are lost;
The old that is strong does not wither,
Deep roots are not reached by the frost.