Carl A. Johnson

Carl A. Johnson, 77, of Las Vegas and Panama, N.Y., died May 2, 2008 in the family home at 6044 Niobe Road, Panama.

A Las Vegas resident since 1956, he was born March 29, 1931, in Bear Lake, Pa., a son of the late Melvin A. and Geneva Bailey Johnson.

He was a 1949 graduate of Panama Central School and earned his degree in culinary arts from the Rochester Institute of Technology in 1956.

He was a veteran of the U.S. Marine Corp, serving as a mess sergeant from 1951 to1954.

Before his retirement in 1991, he was employed by the L.L. Livermore Atomic Energy Proving Grounds in Mercury, Las Vegas, where he was in charge of all the cafeterias and later became a truck driver for L.L. Livermore. He was also a real estate salesman in Las Vegas for several years. In earlier years he worked as a chef for the Colonial Inn, Canandaigua, N.Y., and for the former Ken Schroeders Restaurant in Lakewood, N.Y. He was a long time member of the Panama United Methodist Church and was active with the Church of Jesus Christ of Later Day Saints in Las Vegas. He was also a member of the Sugar Grove, PA AMVETS Post 50, the Veterans of Foreign War Post in Corry, PA, American Legion in Las Vegas, the Masonic Lodge of Nevada and was active with the Harmony Senior Citizens. He also enjoyed spending his Saturday nights at Stateline Speedway during the summer. He loved to play bingo, go to auctions and travel with his friends.

Carl was an avid sportsman to say the least, he officiated baseball, girls softball, basketball, volleyball and football both at the high school and the college level for many years. He was also an avid fan of the University of Nevada Las Vegas Runnin Rebels athletic program. Surviving are his wife, the former Charmaine Cannon of Las Vegas; a son, Kenneth Douglas Johnson of Las Vegas; two grandchildren: Sara and Larissa; two great-granddaughters; a sister, Eleanor (Everett) King of Panama; two brothers: Harold R. (Kate) Johnson of Akron and Kenneth M. (Betty) Johnson of Daytona Beach, Fla.; a special friend, Lois King of Bear Lake, Pa.; and several nieces and nephews and great-nieces and great-nephews.

A graveside service will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, May 10 in the Grant Cemetery, Niobe. The Rev. Stephen J. Wiggers, pastor of the Panama United Methodist Church, will officiate. Visitation will not be observed.

Memorials may be made to the Panama United Methodist Church, 12 E. Main St. Panama, NY 14767 or to the Panama Fire Department, Panama, NY 14767.

Arrangements are by the Lind Funeral Home.