Welcome to the GatheringUs memorial to celebrate the life of Charles Matthew Johnson. Please share your stories, memories and photos of Matt. We will also use this site to plan a celebration of life event just as soon as possible. Thank you for contributing to this lasting memorial.
OBITUARY
Matt will be dearly missed by all he touched in his life. A full remembrance/obituary will be posted here as soon as possible.
MJ- You were the most loving, caring, thoughtful, respectful, man any woman could have ever only dreamed of having in her life.. I happened to be one of the lucky ones that enjoyed 7 years with you and wish we had many more to come. I will forever love... moreMJ- You were the most loving, caring, thoughtful, respectful, man any woman could have ever only dreamed of having in her life.. I happened to be one of the lucky ones that enjoyed 7 years with you and wish we had many more to come. I will forever love &miss you everyday of my life until we can be together again in heaven.
As I said before, Matt and I weren’t super close. But he was my brother and always will be. I’m really glad to have known him especially in good times and good health. It’s been a while since we talked or saw each other but that doesn’t matter.... moreAs I said before, Matt and I weren’t super close. But he was my brother and always will be. I’m really glad to have known him especially in good times and good health. It’s been a while since we talked or saw each other but that doesn’t matter. He was a genuine, gentle, kind soul. He never tried to be someone he wasn’t. Even without a picture I can still see his face in my mind just as clear as day. He was one of those people that sticks in your mind and endure time. I like to think about some of the epic volleyball battles we had at the house and in a couple competitions we played as teammates. And obviously, I always preferred to be on the same side of the net as him. He was a very gifted athlete and he loved to compete and win. Never a sore loser. I think we all looked up to Matt for one reason or another, his kind smile, gentle manner, intelligence, athletic ability, good looks, or just his “cool” demeanor. Godspeed brother, you are missed less
What I remember most about Matt is his infectious smile. I actually can’t recall him ever not smiling... He had the cutest crinkly eyes and the greatest laugh, that’s what I truly remember most about him. He had such a fun and adventurous spirit and... moreWhat I remember most about Matt is his infectious smile. I actually can’t recall him ever not smiling... He had the cutest crinkly eyes and the greatest laugh, that’s what I truly remember most about him. He had such a fun and adventurous spirit and we always had great times together at CSU and afterward (camping trips and other fun and crazy things we did back when we were all young and carefree..).
I remember him being an amazing athlete as well. I think we used to call him gazelle boy or something like that because when he took off running I had never witnessed that type of speed in person, ever. We were playing some kind of football game all of us together and no one had a chance of catching him....One night we all went out downtown and he was literally leaping over large trash cans with no effort, it was utterly amazing. He was truly a fun-loving and kind person, he will be greatly missed. My thoughts and prayers go out all his family and friends less
Matt, Fats, MJ. Miss you brother. Such a great guy. Good person. One of the smartest guys I knew. So many great memories in the ATO house and after. Spring break 1990 he and I drove from Vegas straight home on a Sunday afternoon because we had to... moreMatt, Fats, MJ. Miss you brother. Such a great guy. Good person. One of the smartest guys I knew. So many great memories in the ATO house and after. Spring break 1990 he and I drove from Vegas straight home on a Sunday afternoon because we had to get back for classes. We were so tired we pulled over at the Eisenhower tunnel and slept in the car for a few hours. Then drove right to school. Crazy. Miss you Matt! less
I haven't seen Matt in so long, but I know a thousand people could say 'he was my friend' and they would be right. In my memory , he was easy to be around. I met him through CSU friends and then a lot of us started out working at Charles Schwab a... moreI haven't seen Matt in so long, but I know a thousand people could say 'he was my friend' and they would be right. In my memory , he was easy to be around. I met him through CSU friends and then a lot of us started out working at Charles Schwab a million years ago. That turned into Jimmy's and Gov's Park, house parties and now, fond memories. You will be missed. less
I have so many memories of Matt. Playing volleyball at CSU, working at Schwab, leaving my husky Shadow at his house when he lived with Kevin and Shadow and his dog Malcolm pulled the house plants apart and then went for a walk for a few days. Matt was... moreI have so many memories of Matt. Playing volleyball at CSU, working at Schwab, leaving my husky Shadow at his house when he lived with Kevin and Shadow and his dog Malcolm pulled the house plants apart and then went for a walk for a few days. Matt was such a laid back and kind soul. He had a great laugh and I always loved seeing him. I am sad we won't see him again and prayers to all of the family. less
I have not seen Matt since shortly after graduating from CSU....too long. But I remember him as one of the nicest, smartest, and funniest guys in the house. He was always kind and considerate and fun to be around. My prayers go out to him and his family.
Floating down the river at Guernsey with Greg and Eric. We saw a Bald Eagle on a tree on top of a cliff, we were so inspired we started singing the National Anthem.
Matt was my pledge dad at ATO in 1988. There was a pledge rush event at Rollerland and Matt and I had a huge wipe out on skates. I wound up kicking him in the forehead with the toe of my skate. He had the most massive egg shaped contusion on his... moreMatt was my pledge dad at ATO in 1988. There was a pledge rush event at Rollerland and Matt and I had a huge wipe out on skates. I wound up kicking him in the forehead with the toe of my skate. He had the most massive egg shaped contusion on his forehead for a week or more. I was sure there was no chance of pledging ATO. I will never forget the laugh, the love, and that great big bear hug I got from Matt as my pledge pops. Tremendous athlete. Great friend. Peaceful presence. A smile and laugh that will never be forgotten. Prayers and love to MJ family near and far. less
I was fortunate enough to meet Matt in college and become friends. He was a genuine and sincere guy. I have a lot of fond memories of him. He always had a smile and a friendly word, and he was a blast to be around. I wish his family love and support.
Matt was such a good guy. He had a great sense of humor. I’ll always remember the endless summer volleyball games in the sand pit. You’ll be missed my friend.
Like a lot of us college fraternity brothers, I fell out of touch with Matt over the years. When we'd run into each other, it was like we had never left off. I was always amazed by Matt's natural athletic abilities. One of those types, that was great at... moreLike a lot of us college fraternity brothers, I fell out of touch with Matt over the years. When we'd run into each other, it was like we had never left off. I was always amazed by Matt's natural athletic abilities. One of those types, that was great at everything, without really trying. Lastly, Matt's dry sense of humor and laugh will always be my cherished memory of him. My condolences to the Johnson family. RIP in Matt less
Matt was one of the nicest, and most MELLOW, guys I have ever met. He was a natural athlete. He and I would have marathon tennis matches that went on seemingly forever, because he was quite a competitor as well. Six days prior to his passing he reached... moreMatt was one of the nicest, and most MELLOW, guys I have ever met. He was a natural athlete. He and I would have marathon tennis matches that went on seemingly forever, because he was quite a competitor as well. Six days prior to his passing he reached out and texted saying he wanted to play again soon. I was excited because a few years had passed since the last time we got to run each other around the court. I'll miss your calm presence and sense of humor. Rest in peace, my friend. less
I met Matt when we were freshmen in college. We pledged ATO, were roommates for much of college, graduated, started the same first job and worked a couple other jobs after that together. He was funny and kind. He was athletic and competitive. He was... moreI met Matt when we were freshmen in college. We pledged ATO, were roommates for much of college, graduated, started the same first job and worked a couple other jobs after that together. He was funny and kind. He was athletic and competitive. He was skinny but we called him fats, or deer boy because he could run faster than us all. A great and loyal friend; so many happy memories. We lost touch over the years, but I remember him well and think of him often. I’ll miss you buddy. less
MJ - The first day I met you in High School you were this skinny kid who just moved from Hawaii with a big fro. I got the opportunity to watch you run past every kid on the soccer team, we put up some great numbers on the field but more importantly we... moreMJ - The first day I met you in High School you were this skinny kid who just moved from Hawaii with a big fro. I got the opportunity to watch you run past every kid on the soccer team, we put up some great numbers on the field but more importantly we had a great time. From that first day, we were pretty much attached at hip, along with Joz, Kurtz and Kim. There were 100's of concerts, random road trips and unlimited laughs. We had The Police tapes/cd's on repeat and nobody, I mean nobody could sing "Roxanne" like you. Then we headed to CSU, where we brought the ATO's and Beta's together for the best parties CSU had seen. Post college we had the "Cook Castle" days, with Kevin M. & Luke. Those days were an adventure but again the one thing that remained the same was the great times. As years passed we saw less of each other, but when we did get together, it was like day 1 nothing changed. You had this natural way of brightening a room with your goofy laugh and your crooked smile. I am forever thankful to have you part of my life and adventures. I am crushed we won't get to add to the list. I love you like a brother. Rest In Peace my friend!
Matt - Though life's journey took us down separate paths over the years, I will always cherish the wonderful memories we shared together. My thoughts and prayers are with the Johnson family. May you find strength, hope, and peace during this difficult... moreMatt - Though life's journey took us down separate paths over the years, I will always cherish the wonderful memories we shared together. My thoughts and prayers are with the Johnson family. May you find strength, hope, and peace during this difficult time.
Kind Regards,
Lynn Kisic (Nechanicky) less
MJ, you will forever be missed my brother. We shared so many memories for the last 30+ years it is nearly impossible to remember them all. While you are gone, you will never be forgotten.
Rest in Peace
VTL