Clifford Carl Johnson

Clifford Johnson loved every minute of his fulfilling life. He will be remembered for his thoughtfulness, patience, kindness, and ingenuity. He is survived by his wife, Barbara Ruth Johnson, his three children Charles, Rebecca, and Aaron, daughter in-laws Melissa and Sherrie, and five grandchildren Abigail Johnson, Selena Chang, Jack Johnson, Zaydah Chang, and Taylor Johnson.

Clifford was born in Chicago, Illinois on November 3, 1942. He grew up in the Marquette Park neighborhood of Chicago’s South side. In his advanced years, he could recount happy stories of his boyhood friends, a gang who loved nothing more than playing baseball on a dirt lot that they christened “The Blue Rock.” When he was twelve years old, Cliff’s father passed away suddenly, establishing Cliff as the “Man of the House,” a role that he took to naturally. At sixteen, he learned to drive a Studebaker, and that joyful experience began his lifelong love of reliable automobiles. In high school, Cliff won a cash prize from the Fisher Body Craftsman’s Guild for a newsworthy innovation. Throughout his life, he secured patents for inventions that advanced the fields of fiber optics, electrical circuitry, and culinary technology.

After graduating from high school, Cliff attended Valparaiso University and graduated in 1964 with a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering. He landed a good job at Halicrafters. Other companies he worked for throughout his career included Tech Pro, Midwest Dental, Precision Scientific, Alnor, Kayray, and Poly Science. As a project engineer or engineering manager, he excelled at innovation and efficiency. He retired from Poly Science as a Senior project engineer in 2023. “Clients and colleagues alike knew him as the cowboy because he was able to ride up to any problem and fix it in record time.”

In 1969, Clifford met Barbara Ruth Stamler. After months of dating, they married at Messiah Lutheran church in Park Ridge.

Time stopped. His beautiful bride proceeded down the aisle. He received her with great joy. This remained a shining moment of hope and security that kept him committed to the holy bonds of matrimony for 56 years.

The couple eventually purchased their starter home in Wheeling, Illinois. Cliff felt determined to grow tomatoes from seed. He installed a grow light in the attic, and the tomato plants thrived in that warm, dark crawl space, reaching a level of juicy perfection that seemed impossible. At this time, Cliff and Barb agreed they wanted to make a family. They set a goal to raise three children and see them all graduate college.

As a father, Cliff helped with homework and projects that brought his children edification and success. His eldest remembers a science project of building a trip wire that Charles used to trip his teacher, making the entire class, including the teacher, burst into laughter. Cliff coached soccer for his two sons and coached his daughter’s soft ball team. As a coach, he instilled a value of determination, hard work, and practice. In the yard, he played catch and shot hoops every chance he got. Aaron remembers him as a fun-loving sportsman, full of energy and humor.

As playful as he could be, Cliff was also committed to giving his children a strong faith in God. The family attended church regularly. He encouraged saying grace before a meal and repeating prayers before bed. Rebecca recalls the nightly routine of being tucked into bed then thanking God and blessing everyone. Cliff had strong faith that God’s grace guided his family.

Aaron and Charlie both recall how patient Cliff was teaching them to drive a stick shift car. When they released the clutch too soon and the engine stalled, Cliff would gently guide them to start again. Be determined. Pay attention to timing, the sound of the engine, and the foot’s pressure on the clutch. For Dad, it was the little things that meant a lot, and he thoroughly enjoyed encouraging his children to attend to details—temperature, fluids, and the importance of routine auto maintenance.

Long bike rides, competitive tennis matches, hot dogs with everything on them, Reuban sandwiches, herring on holidays, ice cream sundaes, popcorn, scrambled eggs, pancakes, chocolate chip cookies, and holiday baking were expressions of his love that expanded family cheerfulness and buoyancy.

On occasion, Cliff enjoyed peaceful fishing trips. Once, he caught a blue marlin with tuna as bait. When the young ones grew old enough, he took his kids and grandkids on fishing trips, even to destinations in Canada where they caught walleye in Eagle Lake and ate the fresh catch looking out over the shining water at sunset.

Grandchildren remember the plaques he volunteered to carve in wood for every member of the softball team. Grandpa grew cucumbers in his garden, and he would serve them with the skin peeled. Even when family members moved far away, Cliff shipped boxes of cucumbers and tomatoes to Texas, Virginia, New York, and California. Everyone recalls fun times attending memorable sports events, rooting for the Black Hawks, Cubs, and Bears. Every winter, grandkids gathered with him to build a snowman, and they remember rummaging around the house to find items to dress the snowman—a Cubs hat on its head and a screwdriver for its nose. Building a snowman with Grandpa was peak fun.

Cliff also played billiards. He spent hours with family and friends, “You rack. I break.” Or “I rack. You break.” He loved that game. In his younger years, in the pool hall, they called him Flip; and at work they called him the Cowboy. He was the kind of guy whom everyone wanted to give a special moniker because he really was one of a kind.

In his retirement, Cliff explored his love for woodworking. Together with Barbara, he built a small business. CRA Woodworking accepted custom orders for address signs, lazy Susans, sports team signs, memorial plaques, and placards baring inspiring sayings. In his garage workshop, he operated multiple power tools, lathe drills, piranha saws, and woodcutters. Planning, measuring, cutting, carving and creating billows of sawdust gave him endless euphoria. For fun, Barb and Cliff set up a booth at craft fairs in Elk Gove high school and appreciated the opportunity to display and sell these signs, handmade with love. Cliff always remained active, though his health was declining; he received good medical care from a team of skilled doctors and nurses. He was grateful to them.

Cliff passed peacefully at Northwest Community Hospital from complications related to congestive heart failure. He was surrounded by family who loved him dearly. His last words were shouted with all the enthusiasm he could muster, “Goodbye! I love you!” Then he breathed his last.

Through their grief, his family stays committed to prayer and to pulling weeds. This summer season brings them a precious opportunity to participate in growing perfect tomatoes from the final crop that Cliff planted.

A celebration of life will be held in his honor at a later date. Thank you for helping us honor Cliff. May his soul be with Love, Light, and Peace. Go with God!