On, 13 September 2026, @10:33MST, long-retired, USPS civil serviceman; USAF Airman, SGT Clyde Ellis Johnson, age 78 years young, born 11 OCT 1947 in Oak Park, IL, passed serenely at his desired Chandler, AZ home with family by his side.
A vibrant Sunday morning, together with his beloved wife, Sadako/”Ako,” of fifty-seven years, the American Swede, a devoted Christian, took last healthy breaths, performed final personal duties, and concluded lifelong promises with utmost dignity and honor—no regrets (incl. personal DNR order).
Clyde satisfied three main creeds in life to the best of his frugal canny. One, coming back home safely to his parents after military service; another, abiding by the Airman’s Oath to Country. Lastly, an impassioned shinjo to Ako’s Japanese Buddhist father, that he would take great care of his eldest daughter the rest of his days, and beyond.
And after marriage, they fearlessly moved back to America to start their family. Raised three boys in Chicagoland, relocated happily to Arizona after both retired.
Stubbornly, Clyde triumphed everything by own ways and means. Dichotomies of man: he had them. Clyde despised Chicagoland weather but valued watching its weather reports each night. He got his daily exercise in, while drinking a beer. And, following ancestral tradition before taking the staircase Home, indulged in one last, baked oyster pudding meal in nights' prior. Knowing his fate near, as overheard in the leading days, he was truly ready, willing to go on his terms.
As a worthy, final class act, before His Kingdom summoning on that warm, welcoming morning; Clyde Ellis Johnson helped his wife clasp undergarments after rubbing pain-relief medication to her shoulders and back. In return, emphasized deep appreciation, valuing her much over the years, while she helped him with his own morning routines.
Exhausted afterwards, without complaints, mentioning nothing adrift, he laid back on the bed to rest his weary self...
Well deservedly, may you rest easy now, Sir.
As the family-first patriarch, reserved, polite, a benevolent soul for countless unsuspecting; a final bell toll. Time, while not on your side, your lifespan will not be forgotten, forward. As worldly suffering upended, your holy radiance, rejoined with those awaiting, and others shall take over your watch as commanded.
Along with the self-proclaimed destined woman to marry, Sadako Johnson, only son to late Elmer and Gladys, he was survived by three boys, Gerald Ellis (former-spouse, Anne, three children), Mark Clyde (Lori, two dogs; son prev. relations); Daniel H; and grandchildren, Mark Jr., Zachary, Madeline, and Emily; two great-grandchildren, numerous cousins/spouses; his best friend, Ken Fontana, and others. No disrespect for everyone missed, unintentional.
