Marvin C. Johnson

MARVIN JOHNSON was born on September 3, 1933 in Gates County, North Carolina. He was raised by a loving grandmother in Brooklyn New York with humble beginnings.  After his graduation from Boys High in Brooklyn, he served in the US Air force from 1951-1955 where he received recognition as Airmen of the Month by Commander Colonel Adriel N Williams of the 374^th Troop Carrier Wing (Heavy). After receiving his honorable discharge from the USAF in 1955, he met his lovely wife Elinor and soon married in 1957 where they remained happily married until her death in 2003. He was blessed with three girls and raised them in Brooklyn, New York. He so valued education that he made sure each one of his girls received stellar private school learning. Although he stressed education for his girls, he also encouraged his wife to complete her GED and continued his education from RCA institute and Empire State College. He not only cared about his family’s future but also the future of young men and women in track and field. He participated in NYC’s Boy and Girls Club and PSAL. He had a passion for track and field and was actively involved in the sport from 1955-2000s. His track and Field achievements are as follows: 1955 Asst Track Manager Far East Track Team (Lee Calhoun, Willie Atterberry),1963: CHSAA Track Official,1968: PSAL Track Official,1973-1989: Millrose Track Official,1980-1984: PSAL President,1986: Jr. PAM Games Official,1986-87, 90,91: NCAA Official,1987:1st IAAF World Indoor Championship,1987: NCAA Championship,1988-2016: PENN Relays Official,1990-2003: PSAL Rules Interpreter,1990: Good Will Games,1988  1992  1996: Olympic Trial Official,1996: Olympic Official,1996: Para Olympic Official,1996: Inducted into the CHSAA Hall of Fame,1998: Good Will Games. He worked as a Senior engineer at ITT for over 34 years and stressed the value of dedication and integrity.

He is preceded in death by his wife Elinor and is survived by his oldest daughter Valerie Elinor Johnson Robinson, his middle child Jaqueline Joyce Murphy (Darryl Murphy: son in-law), and his youngest Paula Grier (Fredrick Grier: son in-law), his grandchildren: Darrianna Murphy, Azlyne Murphy, Tyree Murphy, Cynthia Murphy, Isaiah Murphy, Elektra Murphy, David Murphy, Jon Ceballos, Willis Ceballos, Kayla Johnson, Tiamoya Grier, Akila Grier, Farid Grier, Malik Council, and a host of relatives and friends.