Chester A. Johnson Jr.

Chester A. Johnson, Jr., affectionately known as Chet and Copper entered eternal peace on Tuesday, January 21, 2025. Chet-Copper was born on October 26, 1931, in Ithaca, NY to Edna Thomas and Chester Johnson, Sr. Chet-Copper was the oldest of 4 siblings.

Chet-Copper came to Newburgh where he joined the Laborers Local #17 Union in November 1953. He was President of “The Echo Chorale Ensemble” and a member of the Men’s chorus at Ebenezer Baptist Church. Played basketball with CWA & became Executive Secretary for the Women’s Basketball Association of America. Became The President of the Board of Directors when the name was changed from CWA to Glen E. Hines Memorial Center. Chaplain & Honorary member of “Pops Pets & Pals”. He was the President of the Newburgh, Highland Falls Branch of NAACP. He was also known as the Newburgh historian for the Buffalo Soldiers in West Point. If you knew Chet-Copper, you loved him dearly. He never met a stranger and left an everlasting impression on all who encountered his presence.

On August 2, 2014, Chet-Copper married his loving & devoted wife, Deborah C. Fields-Johnson. They became a great partnership and loved each other with every fiber of their being.

Chet-Copper leaves his loving memories to be cherished by his sons: Jeffrey Johnson of Highland Falls; Anthony J. (Tiffany) Fields of Middletown, NY; daughter (of his heart) Charlene Griffin; his brother, Frederick Richardson of Williamsport, PA; brother-in-law Douglas S. Milton of Charlotte, NC; Sister-in-law, Denise F. Milton of Hackensack, NJ and grandson Jeffrey (Jasmine) Baker of Highland Falls (US Air Force).

Nieces: Alisha R. Milton of NJ; Lana (Missy)(Angelo) Milton-Bowles of N Charleston, SC; Patricia (Sister) Milton of Topeka, KS; Donna (Steve) Pace of Snellville, GA; Mary Jo (Jodie) Saunders of Syracuse, NY; Toni (Charlie) Clark of Newfield, NY; Lynn (Pinky) Zimmerman of Williamsport, PA; Denee (Antoine) Bailey of Suffolk, VA.

Nephews: Sharif. L. (Julissa) Barr of NJ; Douglas Milton Sr & Bruce Milton of Ithaca, NY; Christopher (Sylvia) Milton of Brandon, MS; Frederick (Cathleen) Richardson II of Ithaca; Ricky Milton of Ithaca; Justin (Nicole) Jenkins of Virginia Beach.

Loved dearly by numerous great-nieces, great-nephews, cousins, and a host of friends.

He was predeceased by his former wife, Nancy Johnson; daughter Rita Simmons Whitley; sisters Lois (Tillie) Hines, Patricia A. Milton; brother-in-law Curtis L. Milton, Jr., Nieces: Valerie Morgan; Nancy Fields; Deborah Johnson and Nephews: Wendell (Rocky) Milton; Ricky Johnson & Curtis L. (Spike) Milton III.

Chet-Copper had a dynamic personality, a hearty laugh, and unmatched wit. He will be deeply missed by everyone who knew him and will always remain in our hearts.