CHARLIE C. ‘BLACKIE’ JOHNSON
Charlie C. “Blackie” Johnson, 88, of Memphis, Texas, passed away Monday, July 28, 2025, in Memphis.
Funeral services took place at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, July 31, 2025, at the Hedley Church of Christ. Burial followed in Rowe Cemetery in Hedley, Texas. Viewing was held on Wednesday, July 30, with the family receiving friends for visitation from 4-6 p.m. at the funeral home. Arrangements were under the care of Robertson Funeral Directors of Memphis.
Blackie was born on Jan. 21, 1937, in Hedley, to Walter Cleveland and Gladys Clementine Johnson. He married Shirley Faye Jones on Jan. 17, 1959, in Hollis, Okla. A lifelong resident of Donley County, Texas, Blackie moved to Memphis in 1998.
A true cowboy at heart, Blackie spent many years rodeoing, riding broncs and bulls, and later, served as a rodeo judge. He also enjoyed attending motocross races with his family to watch his son compete.
He worked in real estate and served as a tax appraiser for several years, as well as worked for many years at Bolin Grain Elevator in Clarendon, Texas. While employed at the Paymaster Cotton Oil Mill, Blackie was awarded the prestigious Carnegie Medal of Honor for saving a life.
From 1984 until his retirement in 1998, Blackie served as the Donley County Constable. Known for his vibrant personality, he loved his cows, enjoyed teasing friends and neighbors and was always ready with a prank. He was once recognized as one of the Panhandle’s most colorful characters by Amarillo Globe-News.
Blackie was also deeply involved in his community. He served as president of both the Clarendon Outdoor Entertainment Association and Memphis Meals on Wheels and was a member of the Donley County Appraisal District Board of Directors. A devoted member of the Hedley Church of Christ, he led congregational singing for many years.
He was preceded in death by his parents; a brother, W.C. Johnson; and a sister, Velva Gibson.
Survivors include his wife, Shirley Johnson, of Memphis; his son, Tom Johnson, and wife Carol, of Quanah, Texas; his daughter, Sherryl Byars, and husband Brad, of Giles, Texas; his grandchildren, Jared Johnson and wife Melissa, and Alex Johnson and wife Kelsie, all of Shallowater, Texas, Kendra Martin, of Memphis, Matt Martin, of Giles, and Wacie Decker and husband Shane, of Clarendon; step-grandchildren Kendell Williams and husband Jakob, of Childress, Texas, Kade Byars and wife Bailee, of Lakeview, Texas, and Kye Cogdell and husband Colton, of Silverton, Texas; nine great-grandchildren with one on the way; a nephew, Roger Gibson, and wife Trudi, of Canton, Okla.; and numerous other nieces, nephews and cousins.
The family requests that memorials be made to Memphis Meals on Wheels or Westview Boys Home in Hollis, Okla.
Sign the online guest book at robertsonfuneral. com.
