Black Tennis Hall of Fame Extends its Deepest Condolences to the Family of Lange Johnson, Creator of The Whirlwind Johnson Foundation, also the Son and Grandson of Hall of Famers Robert W. Johnson, Jr. (2020) and Dr. Robert W. Johnson (2008)

 

 

Longtime Washington, DC-area resident passed away on March 28, 2022, of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS). Johnson, an avid tennis player and golfer, lived in Fairfax, VA, at the time of his death. He graduated from The Potomac School, Woodrow Wilson High School, and University of the District of Columbia.Born December 27, 1961, in Washington, DC, Lange was the son of Robert W. and Nerissa L. Johnson. He was the grandson of Dr. Robert W. Johnson, credited with coaching tennis greats Arthur Ashe and Althea Gibson. Lange and his siblings were all ranked tennis players in the United States Tennis Association (USTA). He continued to compete in tournaments until shortly before his ALS diagnosis.In 2015, Lange created the Whirlwind Johnson Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to furthering the legacy of his grandfather and restoring Dr. Johnson's historic residence and tennis court in Lynchburg, VA.Lange had successful careers as a Vice President at Time Life and at Universal Music Group. He is survived by his wife Elizabeth, daughter Zoe, sisters Jolynn J. Smith (Jeffery), Eileen J. Williams, and brother Robert W. Johnson III (Daisy). He is also survived by nieces Alexis and Dylan Williams, NoraJane Conway, and nephew Evan Smith. Lange's loving in-laws, Francis and Virginia Burk, sisters-in-law Alison Shipman (Hunt) Abigail Burk, and Emily Smith (Jason) also mourn his loss. Lange was preceded in death by his brother Julian.Funeral service will be scheduled for a later date. To honor Lange's life and legacy, please consider donating to: whirlwindjohnson.org/donate 

Published by The Washington Post on Apr. 4, 2022.