Charles S. Johnson Jr ’48

Charley died Jan. 10, 2025, at age 98.

Born in Memphis, Tenn., he graduated from Overbrook High School in Philadelphia. In August 1944, he enrolled at the University of Nevada at Reno on a football scholarship and enlisted in the Marines. Three months later, Charley was called by the Marines and selected for the Marine V-12 program. He made Princeton his first choice and enrolled in March 1945.

At Princeton, Charley played varsity football and was a member of Tiger Inn. As a junior, he roomed with Ted Lavino, Nick Trapnell, and “Whis” Whisler in Foulke Hall, and as a senior he roomed with Hank Fish at Tiger Inn. Charley graduated with an A.B. in biology in June 1948.

In 1960, Charley and Ted started an alarm company, which was acquired by Baker Industries (now BorgWarner). Charley was its president and CEO. He joined New York-based Holmes Protection Co. in 1971; became president of Schaevitz Engineering Co. in 1974; and then went to Super Tire Engineering Co. as vice chairman and CEO. In 1981, Charley joined the Lavino group to form Sentinel Sprinkler Corp., where he remained as president until his retirement in 1991.

In our 50th-reunion yearbook, Charley noted that the Princeton experience “provided a background and basis of education, philosophy, associations, and experiences that has been a basis for achievement, self-assurance, and knowledge, and love of life.”

Charley’s wife, Ruth Ash Kindt Johnson, predeceased him in 2015. Their children, Charles III, Stephen, Mary, and Bonnie survive them. A son, Scott, is deceased.