Obituary of Charles Everette Johnson

Charles "Doc" Everette Johnson Lexington - Memorial services for Charles E. Johnson, 71, of Lexington will be held at 12 PM, Saturday, Feb 4, 2017 at the Lakeside Gazebo at Woodridge Memorial Park, 138 Corley Mill Road, Lexington, SC 29072. Pastor Kay Queen will officiate. Mausoleum entombment with full US Navy honors will follow the service at Woodridge Memorial Park. Mr. Johnson passed away January 19, 2017. Born in Modesto, CA, he was a son of the late Eugene Abbott Sr. and Elizabeth McIntosh Johnson. He served his country honorably in the US Navy for 24 years. He completed two tours in Vietnam as a corpsman, retiring in 1987. While in service, he received numerous awards, including a Silver Star, Combat Action Ribbon, Presidential Unit Citation (2), National Defense Medal, Republic of Vietnam (RVN) Gallantry Cross, RVN Civil Actions Ribbon, and RVN Campaign Medal, and Humanitarian Service Medal for bravery and combat skills while serving during the Vietnam War. Doc also was awarded a Meritorious Achievement Award while serving at the Naval Submarine Medical Center, where he successfully established and operated an Overeaters Anonymous program, and an Accommodation Ribbon for superior performance and tireless dedication to the Naval Hospital Laboratory Department in Oakland, CA. His dedication to his country inspired two of his sons to also serve in the Navy. His medical dedication and knowledge lead the way for multiple family members to pursue the passion that Charles showed to help others in the medical/EMS field as well. As so elegantly spoken by Capt. Platt, "Vietnam was the training grounds for the system we now call EMS. Medics were doing things in the fields of battle while under fire and severe duress. They were using primitive equipment, in an effort to save lives and many times, without the ability to fight back. Until Vietnam, Medics were usually not armed with more than a pistol. During Vietnam, they stopped wearing the Red Cross symbol, because they became a highly prized target. Killing a medic meant more deaths for the wounded. Like all of us Medics, "Doc" Johnson wanted to take charge of the situation and care for those in need. He wanted to solve whatever problems people had. He did so 'til the very end, choosing how he left us." Charles lived with his youngest son Gene and his wife Kris off and on throughout the years, coming to rest with them as they cared for him over the last 6 years 'til the time of his death, allowing all of Charles' final wishes to come true. He is survived by his children; sons, Fernan (Josephine), Chuck (Karen), Gene and his wife Kris; grandchildren, Kayla, John, Justin, Diane, Abigail, Cody; sisters, Joanne Rush (Ben), Susan Price (Donald); nephew, Wesley Porch (Mahima), cousin, Charlie McIntosh. In addition to his parents, Charles was predeceased by his brothers, Eugene and David Johnson. Charles spent his whole life devoted to God, his country and his three sons.