Carolyn Johnson

Carolyn “CJ” Johnson, Associate Professor Emeritus of Communications at Cal State Fullerton, died on November 7, 2017 at the age of 76.  She was born August 9, 1941 in Parkers Prairie, Minnesota to Clarence and Edith Johnson.  She attended Parkers Prairie High School where she was active in drama and theater.  After high school she attended Augsburg College in Minneapolis graduating in 1963 with a bachelor’s degree in English.  She had a dream of one day teaching college students.  Carolyn decided to attend American University in Washington D.C. majoring in Journalism.  She joined the CSUF faculty in 1972 as one of the department’s first female professors.  She continued her education at the University of Tennessee receiving her Ph.D. in Communications in 1978.  Carolyn retired in 2010 from CSFU after 38 years of service.  Carolyn enjoyed many hobbies.  She stayed active with the Fullerton Sunrise Rotary, attended numerous Cal State Fullerton events including the ribbon cutting of the Dr. Carolyn E. Johnson Internship office.  Carolyn loved teaching and she found teaching at CSFU was an inspiration.  She is survived by her niece, Jodi (Rob) Gebhardt; nephews, Tyler and Connor Gebhardt; great niece, Katelynn Gebhardt; great-great nephew, Wyatt Pena.  Carolyn was preceded in death by her parents, Clarence and Edith Johnson; brother, Curtis Johnson, and niece Juli Johnson.

A Graveside Service will be held on Saturday, May 5, 2018 at 1:30 PM at Kinkead Cemetery in Alexandria, MN.

In lieu of flowers the family asks that donations be made to Caring Hands at First Lutheran, the Communications Dept. at Cal State Fullerton, or the Rotary Foundation.

Arrangements are with the Anderson Funeral Home in Alexandria. www.andersonfuneral.net