Carlton L. Johnson

With deep love and gratitude, we honor the life of Carlton Leon Johnson, a devoted husband, father, grandfather, educator, and spiritual leader, who ascended on February 4, 2025. Carlton lived a life of purpose, faith, and service, striving to bring unity across cultures, religions, and communities. He loved, served, taught, emailed, texted, prayed, and shared his heart, his eclectic love for music, and his deep knowledge of spiritual wisdom from great teachers of all religions.

​

Carlton was born on February 11, 1957, to Robert and Doris Johnson, the second of five sons. He was raised in Richmond, Virginia, surrounded by a large extended family deeply rooted in the Chickahominy Baptist Association, where his father serves as a deacon.

An exceptional scholar, Carlton studied anthropology at Harvard University, where he developed a deep curiosity about human cultures and spiritual traditions. In 1979, a profound spiritual experience led him to dedicate his life to the Family Federation for World Peace, where he became a pillar of faith and mentorship.

​

In 1982, Carlton was matched and blessed in marriage to Mihoko Demizu as part of the 2075 Couples Blessing at Madison Square Garden. Together, they built a life grounded in love and faith. Their family journey took them across the world, from the United States to Japan and Korea, where Carlton worked as an educator and mentor, touching countless lives.

Carlton and Mihoko were blessed with three sons: Tad (1990), Jason (1992), and Tai (1996). In 1993, they made the heartfelt decision to entrust their third-born child, Stephen, to the loving care of Rev. Esteban and Lorna Galvan. Though raised in a different home, the families remained close, bound by a deep and lasting friendship.

Throughout his life, Carlton was a man of deep conviction and boundless love. He worked tirelessly to bridge cultural and racial divides, fostering unity within his faith community and beyond. Carlton spent over two decades teaching at prestigious institutions, including the Korean Minjok Leadership Academy and Cheongshim International Academy in Korea. He mentored students on their educational journeys, helped them prepare for university, and shared his love of music through performances with his students.

​

In 2017, after twenty years abroad, Carlton returned to Richmond, Virginia. Carlton’s life was defined by his faith, his service, and his profound love for those around him. His warmth, wisdom, and spiritual insight touched everyone he encountered.

He is survived by his father, Robert Lee Johnson; his brothers, Anthony, Wayne, and Danard; his beloved wife, Mihoko; and his sons and daughters-in-law: Tad and Takako, Jason, and Tai and Danielle. He was a proud grandfather to Akash, Mone, and Surya, the children of Tad and Takako.

He was preceded in death by his mother, Doris Johnson, and his brother, Keith Johnson.

Carlton’s legacy of love, faith, and unity will live on in the countless lives he touched.