Beloved father, husband, son, brother, and friend

Karl Gregory Johnson, 52, was born in Boston and grew up in central Ohio, where he attended Upper Arlington High School. He then moved to Grinnell College, majoring in biology, and finished his education at UC San Diego and the University of Cambridge for his Ph.D.

After his postdoctoral work at Harvard Medical School, he began his career at Pomona College in Claremont, where he became the inaugural chair of the school’s neuroscience department.

He mentored many students during his almost 20-year career and was a prominent educator, twice receiving the highest honor to be bestowed on a faculty member at Pomona College, the Wig Distinguished Professor award. “He was an asset to the academic community in Claremont, as we witnessed at his retirement party when students and colleagues told stories of how Karl added depth and meaning to both their careers and their personal lives,” his family shared.

He met his wife Nancy while in high school, and they rekindled their relationship after almost 10 years apart. She joined him in Southern California. The couple carried out a complex biochemical synthesis of two daughters, and Karl was a devoted husband and father. He spent many hours cooking with the girls, attending recitals and their competitive cheerleading events.

He loved spending time in nature. He and family spent countless weekends traveling Southern California in search of adventure in their RV.

“Karl was a practical joker with enormous creative energy starting in childhood,” his family said. “He told tall tales and always kept his family laughing. He was gregarious, outgoing, and formed deep and meaningful relationships.

“Karl’s legacy continues in the hearts of friends and family who surrounded him in his final hours. We said farewell on July 19, 2025 after a valiant battle with neuroendocrine cancer. He is deeply missed.”

He is survived by his wife Nancy James; daughters Alessandra and Samantha; brother Adam Johnson (Crista Rosten) and their children Nathaniel and August Waggener; his parents, Lee and Ann Johnson; in-laws Nancy and Cameron James; brothers-in-law, Arthur James (Victoria Windsor) and Joseph James (Sara James); and sister-in-law Catherine Sturman (Eric Sturman).

A celebration of life will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday, March 28 at Pomona College’s Mabel Shaw Bridges Hall of Music (Little Bridges), 150 E. Fourth St., Claremont, CA 91711, with a reception to follow. Colorful attire is encouraged.

Donations to help establish a student award in neuroscience at Pomona College are being collected. Please make a gift in memory of Karl Johnson at givecampus.com/s/84rvud or contact Pomona College Office of Annual Giving by phone at (909) 607-6096 or via email to  supportsagehens@pomona.edu.