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To all who knew him, Charlie Johnson was much more than a great athlete. He was a quiet, gifted, intensely private person. No one ever spoke an unkind word about him.
After his sports career, he spent much of his time in the Redwood City area, where he grew up. One of his passions was golf, which he and former Sequoia basketball teammate Reddick Bibbs enjoyed together quite often at the Palo Alto Municipal course.
Sadly, Charlie was denied the opportunity to live a full life, which included becoming a senior citizen. Tragically, his star flamed out far too soon when cancer took him at the young age of 58.
Before bringing this tribute to Sequoia’s greatest athlete to a close, I would like to suggest there is an appropriate way to honor Charlie’s legacy and memory.
Sequoia High’s baseball diamond, football field and tennis courts all carry the name of famous Cherokees. In this writer’s opinion, it’s a serious oversight on the part of Sequoia not to honor Charlie’s incredible legacy. In my view, the basketball gymnasium where he rose above every other player as a Cherokee should carry his name.
He is the only athlete from Sequoia who became a “world champion.” Is that not enough of an accomplishment to warrant naming the venue where his star shone above all others in his honor?
The former Cherokees, whose names are on several athletic venues around the campus, deserve the honor. Having said that, there is no one who in my opinion deserves said honor more than Charlie Johnson.
Thank you, Charlie, you and your greatness touched us all and left lasting memories.
Everything Else is Just History; however, Charlie made history.
Everything else is just history
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