2007
Richard H. Johnson, 68, a teacher and administrator in Washington's public schools for 32 years, died of cancer May 24 at his
home in Upper Marlboro.
Mr. Johnson retired in the mid-1990s from Paul Junior High School, where he was an assistant principal. He also worked at
Bundy Elementary, Bunker Hill Elementary, Banneker Senior High and Bertie Backus Middle schools.
He was born in Washington and graduated from McKinley Tech High School in 1956, right after the desegregation of city
schools. His family said white students did not want blacks to participate in graduation activities, so Mr. Johnson organized an
African American prom and class night. The group continues to have reunions.
He graduated from Central State University in Wilberforce, Ohio, in 1961 and received a master's degree in education from the
University of the District of Columbia in 1972. He did additional postgraduate work in administration at the University of Maryland.
In retirement, Mr. Johnson worked as an administrator at several charter schools in the city and at UDC. Through a fraternity for
African American students, he set up a Saturday school program that operates in five Montgomery County high schools and
serves students of all races.
Mr. Johnson was a life member of the Omega Psi Phi fraternity and in 1982 was named Omega Man of the Year by his chapter.
He was president of the local chapter of his college alumni group.
His marriage to Costella Prince Cherry ended in divorce.
Survivors include his wife of 13 years, Rosalyn Johnson of Upper Marlboro; two sons from his first marriage, Richard H.
Johnson III of Columbia and Malcolm Prince Johnson of Norfolk; a stepdaughter, Marcy Turner of Cheltenham; three sisters,
Beverly Johnson of Silver Spring, Florence Ray of Kennesaw, Ga., and Joan Askew of Forestville; three brothers, the Rev. Dr.
Charles A. Johnson II of Forestville, J. Alexander Johnson of Manassas and Edgar A. Johnson of Bowie; and nine grandchildren.