Clifford A. Johnson

TO WATCH LIVE PLEASE CLICK HERE <<<<<<<<

On Tuesday, December 11, Cliff Johnson completed his 96-year journey, surrounded by his loving family. He was able to remain at home until he joined his beloved Bessie in Heaven. A Memorial Service will be held Saturday, December 22, at 11:00 a.m. in the Rose Room Chapel at Croxford Funeral Home. A Reception will follow the Service.

Our dad, grandfather, and great-grandfather began his life on June 17, 1922, in Eden, Montana. Born to Fred and Opal Johnson, Cliff’s early years were spent on the family ranch near Stockett. He attended Houskin School with children from the neighboring ranches, and then transferred and graduated from Great Falls High School in 1939. After graduation, he worked at the family sawmill in Logging Creek, Gus and Jack’s Tire Shop, and General Mills. On October 1, 1942, Cliff married the love of his life, Bessie Davis. Four months after their wedding, Cliff enlisted in the service, where he served as a WWII Army Air Corp flight instructor in California. In 1945, they returned to the home ranch and spent the next 28 years there raising their five children. He was an avid outdoorsman and loved to take his boys into the mountains hunting and fishing. Cliff was a founding member of the Foothills Livestock Association, and was a Past Master of Masonic Lodge 117 in Belt. He also enjoyed the time he spent as a 4-H leader and Hunter Safety instructor. The entire family spent time with and built lasting memories with their extended family, including Fred and Ann Johnson, Walt and Norma Johnson, Annabelle and Everett Kapptie, and their children. In 1973, Cliff and Bessie moved to Great Falls, where he worked as a carpenter and became an avid golfer. He enjoyed playing his banjo and joined a band called Tex and the Toe Tappers and went on to play at the Great Falls Senior Center. His years were busy and filled with family activities, gatherings with friends, dinners, dances, and picnics.

Cliff is survived by his five children: Ed (Joanne) Johnson; Larry (Linda Peo) Johnson; Tera (Steve) Vielleux; Mark (Cheryl) Johnson; and Rita (Keith) Schumacher. Grandchildren include: Aaron and Sheri Johnson; Megan (Brett) Hofland and Michelle (Christian) Dietrich, Zach (Mollie) Peo and Zane Peo; Josh Vielleux; Beau (Kristen) Johnson and Ashlee Johnson; Amanda (Bobby) Lake, Joe (Nicole) Schumacher, and Justin Schumacher. He was blessed with 13 great-grandchildren, and the love of a large extended family.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Bessie; parents, Fred and Opal Johnson; brothers, Eddie, Fred, Harry, and Walt Johnson; son-in-law, Donnie Kohut; grandsons, Chris and Luke Johnson; and great-granddaughter, McKenna Vielleux.

Condolences may be shared with the family at www.croxfordfuneralhome.com.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Clifford A. Johnson, please visit our floral store.