Carl Vincent Johnson began his life on May 9, 1946, the second of two sons born to Louis "Big Jack" Johnson and Rosie Mae Bizer Johnson, both preceded him in death. Sadly, Carl passed away Tuesday Nov. 13, 2018 after a brief illness with his wife Rose of 46 years by his side.

Carl professed his faith in Jesus Christ at a very young age. He attended Mt. Pisgah Baptist Church in his youth and later became a member of St Paul Baptist Church where he was an active member of the Sunday School, Sunday Services and weekly Bible Study until his death. Carl was a lifelong resident of the Metro East Area, attending schools in Cahokia, IL and graduating from Lincoln Sr. High School in Eat St Louis, IL in 1964.

There he was a standout athlete, excelling in the sport he loved-basketball. After high school, Carl immediately sought employment with McDonald Douglas/Boeing. Later that same year he joined the United States Air Force; there he was able to renew his love for the sport of basketball, playing on various military teams. His wife often remarked Carl loved basketball so much that even if animals were allowed to dribble a ball down the court, Carl would watch!

It was during his time in the military he discovered his true passion, photography, taking breathtaking pictures of his travels throughout Europe and the U.S.   After the military, Carl began a 33-½ year career at U.E./Ameren. To most, a job at U.E. would be enough, but not for Carl. He pursued his passion of photography, taking advanced photography classes at State Community College earning an Associate Degree of Photography. It was at the college he met and married his wife Rose Allen. To that union was born two children Jamal and Tiffany, who were all too often the willing and sometimes unwilling subjects of his photography work. After retirement, Carl continued to work as a professional photographer. He had a reputation of always arriving hours early for an event to begin a photo shoot and staying until the last guest would leave, in pursuit of the perfect photo.

Mr. Johnson leaves to mourn his wife Rose; children Alicia Branch, Terrence (Audrey) Branch, Jamal (Paola) Johnson, Tiffany (Walter) Roskowski; grandchildren Braydon Jones, Colleen Branch and Laura Johnson; siblings Harold Johnson, Argie (Margo) Johnson, Janice Lane and Kevin Lane; a host of nephews, nieces, extended family and friends.