Charles Lane "Charley" Johnson

Charles Lane “Charley” Johnson lost his medical battles on September 3, 2024. He is preceded in death by his beloved wife Barbara, and his parents C.E. “Perry” Johnson and Dorothy Coleman Johnson. He leaves behind his brother, Kenneth C. Johnson (Cathy), his son Craig Johnson, his daughter Jill Johnson Schmitz (Marc), and his granddaughters Angela, Sarah, and Reyna. He is also survived by many relatives and great friends. 

 Charley was a graduate of Big Spring High School where he was a multisport athlete. Here he gained attention and received a scholarship to play football for Schreiner University. His time at Schreiner was short lived, following the discontinuation of the football program. Charley, however, was able to secure a basketball scholarship at New Mexico State University. His love for the game of football brought him to try-outs where Coach Warren Woodsen immediately selected Charley to play on the football team as a walk-on. 

 Charley led the NMSU Aggies to two Sunbowl victories in 1959 &1960, while also awarded the MVP those years. After his graduation, he was drafted by teams from the AFL, NFL, and the CFL. He chose the St. Louis Cardinals where he spent nine years, while also spending two years as an active US Army officer. 

 He was traded to the Houston Oilers in 1970 where he spent two seasons, while simultaneously earning his Doctor of Science in Chemical Engineering. He was then traded to the Denver Broncos where he led them to their first winning season as a franchise.

 Charley retired from football after the 1975 season. He then directed his attention to the oil and gas business where he created his own company and worked there for several years.

 In 2000, his longtime dream of returning to his alma mater, NMSU, came true. He was hired as a professor of Chemical Engineering. He served in that capacity for ten years, retiring in 2010. His time in Las Cruces was spent supporting NMSU sports and playing golf with his dear friends. 

 Charley’s personal list of accomplishments include Big Spring Sports Hall of Fame, Schreiner University Athletic Hall of Honor, NMSU Sports Hall of Fame, State of Texas Sports Hall of Fame, New Mexico Sports Hall of Fame, and in 1986, he was inducted into the Denver Broncos Ring of Fame. His was the first jersey number to be retired by NMSU football. He earned many other awards and recognitions; too many to count. 

 He will be missed dearly by all who knew him. He was a man of rare talents, character, and personality. 

 He is reunited with his wife, Barbara, of 62 years. He left us without pain, while holding the hand of his granddaughter, fellow Aggie, Angela. 

A Public viewing is scheduled at New Mexico Farm and Ranch Museum from 11:00am to 12:15pm on Wednesday, September 11, 2024 followed by services at 12:30pm.