Dr. George Duane Johnson, PhD

On Monday October 11, 2021 Dr. George D. Johnson passed peacefully at his home in Chico, CA.

George came into the world on August 7, 1938 and grew up in Cortez, Colorado and spent his youth in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado. George spent endless hours in the outdoors hunting and enjoying the essence of the high elevation flora and fauna.

In his teens, George played high school sports at Cortez High School, including football, basketball, and baseball. Playing catcher in baseball George, the commander of the field, once told a close friend, “Home plate belongs to me, not the batter!” Being of stocky muscular build his defensive dominance was admired by teammates and feared by opponents.

George joined the Colorado National Guard at the age of 17 and served from 1955 to 1961. During that time George also attended Trinidad Community College in Colorado earning his AA degree in gunsmithing. Upon returning to Cortez, George opened a gunsmithing and sporting goods business. After four years George decided to move on to other endeavors.

In 1958, George married his high school sweetheart and future lifetime partner, Judith Nichols. In 1966, George returned to higher education at Kansas State University and in 1969 earned his PhD in Economics. That same year, now Dr. George Johnson, was hired into the faculty in the College of Business at CSU, Chico. Dr. Johnson taught management science curriculum for a number of years in the College of Business eventually moving into the administrative world of higher education, serving as Associate Vice Provost for Resource Planning. Dr. Johnson served in this position until his retirement in 1998. Post-retirement, Dr. Johnson returned to the classroom teaching statistics in the College of Business and in the Mathematics Department.

In 1966, George and Judy’s first son was born, Gregory Deron Johnson. In 1971, a second son was born, Justin Cale Johnson. Gregory and his wife Julie reside in Portland, Oregon. They have two beautiful children, Max and Tessa, age 20. Cale and his wife Grace of live in Berlin, Germany. Cale and Grace have one beautiful child, Abby, age 14. Sadly, Judy preceded George’s death in July, 2020, after 62 years of
marriage.

Over the years Dr. Johnson remained connected to his Colorado roots, returning every year for elk hunting with his lifelong friends and family residing in Colorado. George and Judy returned a number of times to their homeland to attend high school reunions, always dedicated to staying attached to their roots in the beautiful Rocky Mountains.

Dr. Johnson was recognized within the CSU, Chico community as a calm and talented leader, exceptional professor, someone anyone could turn to for sensible problem solving, and always jovial and in good humor. George continued with his gunsmithing at a personal level and became a champion trap shooter several times in area trap meets. Close friend and colleague, George Wellman, recalls Dr Johnson and him teaming up at a doubles trap shoot at the Westwood Gun Club. The Johnson/Wellman team won four of the six contests. Fond memories for sure!

Among his many friends a small group of fellow retirees have for many years met weekly for coffee at a local restaurant. During the Covid pandemic this last 18 months the group has met virtually via Zoom. Dr. Johnson so enjoyed the weekly coffee gatherings, the camaraderie, the good humor, and the togetherness.

Always the consummate gentleman, scholar, husband, father, grandfather, and friend, Dr. George Johnson will surely be missed.

Memorial services for Dr. George Johnson will be held October 18, 11:00, at Newton Bracewell Funeral Home in Chico, Ca. The family is hosting a luncheon at Nash’s Restaurant following the service.