- Date Of Birth: April 30, 1924
- Date Of Death: June 3, 2016
- State: Utah
Clifford Bates Johnson
April 30, 1924 – June 3, 2016
Cliff passed away peacefully, in the home he built for his family, on June 3, 2016.
He was a Navy man who fought in the Philippines during World War II. When he enlisted, he signed up for the duration of the war plus six months, and when he was discharged had risen to the rank of Electronic Technician’s Mate First Class. He was awarded the Asiatic Pacific 1 Star, American Area, Victory, Philippine Liberation 2 Stars, and Points.
Cliff enjoyed telling tales of his time growing up on a ranch, the jeep trips he took with his friends, and his time working for the railway in Ogden. He loved the opera and attended all of the concerts and recitals his grandchildren were in. He traveled the world and wanted to share his experiences and his stories with everyone. He had a deep love for animals, and adopted many domesticated and not-so-domesticated pets over the years.
He taught his beloved grandchildren how to fish, how to spray paint something without it dripping, and an appreciation for education and kindness to each other. He had an adventurous nature himself, but he always made sure they were safe. Cliff took a number of young men under his wing as well, teaching them how to repair generators, paying them to get good grades, and showing them the value of responsibility.
Cliff could also fix just about anything, but he felt that instructions were completely unnecessary. Duct tape, engine starter fluid, and vice grips were the only tools you really needed. And smoke alarms were nothing to panic about.
He was preceded in death by his wife, and the love of his life, Dannie; his brothers, Conroy Bates Johnson and Terry Gordon Johnson; and his daughter-in-law, Brenda Johnson. He is survived by his four children, Leslie (Don) Trottier, Kelly (Debbie) Johnson, Steve Johnson, and Wendy Rebecca (Josh Thoemke) Marcotte, his seven grandchildren, and two great grandchildren.
According to Cliff’s wishes, he will be cremated.
