Clinton James Johnson

Born to James Añon Johnson and Judith Irene Ward Johnson on February 16, 1970 in Charleston, South Carolina, Clinton was named after the actor Clint Eastwood. James (“Jim”) Johnson loved Eastwood’s movies, especially the Westerns, admiring the tough and manly characters that the actor embodied. Clint Johnson lived up to the name in many ways: he was plenty masculine, and he was certainly no cringer, which he proved over and over again with the toughness he showed during his last painful year of life; Jim would have been proud. But our Clint came to be esteemed even more for his generosity, sweetness, good humor, and loving nature.

He grew up and was educated in Albuquerque, New Mexico, and in Northern California, ultimately obtaining a Bachelors Degree from Santa Clara University. But he never considered formal education to be sufficient. He was an autodidact, a great lover of books and reading, and had a unique thirst for knowledge. His bookshelves display the vast range of his interests, from business and finance to history, politics, and the study of scripture. He taught himself to draw, to raise orchids, and, continuing a tradition from his father, to become a respectable marksman, among many other pursuits.

The great loves of his life were his three children: Isaiah James, Anna Grace Laura, and Esther Joy. He wanted children desperately, and when he had them, they were the greatest gifts his life had known. His greatest aspiration was to raise healthy, happy, kind human beings who served God and, most importantly, who felt how much he loved and wanted them.

Professionally, Clinton spent more than two decades with Allianz Life, where he made many friends and where his natural charisma allowed him to shine and succeed. He worked hard, held himself to a very high standard, and felt a responsibility to earn every dollar he made. When he became ill, the company continued to support him and allowed him to work from home. He keenly felt the need to repay their generosity with effort, even when his reserves of energy were rapidly deteriorating.

Clinton’s legacy is one of joy, kindness, generosity, humanity, devotion to God, and readiness to help others. He loved to laugh, and nothing tickled him more than making others laugh with him. His spirit was a gentle and faithful one, though he had deep reserves of strength and determination that he drew from in life’s hardest moments. His great gentleness was uniquely matched by great fortitude; when he was hurt or wronged by others, rather than nurse grievances, he knew that a person of true strength would forgive them, and he did exactly that.

He is survived by his loving children, Isaiah, Anna, and Esther; his sister Laura Celeste Gventer (Steven Gventer); his mother, Judith Johnson; a number of aunts, uncles, and cousins; and by a large group of dear and devoted friends from all eras and parts of his life.

Clint will be missed beyond words. A Service of Remembrance for him will be held Saturday, February 1, 2025 at 11:00 AM at Greater Life Church, 4000 Quincy Street NE, Columbia Heights, MN 55421. Interment at Morningside Memorial Gardens, Coon Rapids.