Clifford Johnson

Clifford Allen Johnson, age 89, son of August and Signe Victoria Gustafsson Johnson, passed away in his home on October 16, 2014, surrounded by his wife and family. Even though he remained physically strong throughout his life, his body was unable to keep up his fast pace and was eventually overcome by the conditions associated with age. Born on December 29, 1924 in Shelley, ID to Swedish immigrants, Clifford returned with his family to their ancestral home as a young boy and was raised in Kopparberg, Sweden where he developed interests in art, photography, landscaping, and masonry construction. He took advantage of every educational opportunity and learned his masonry skills through an apprentice program. During WWII, Clifford met his future wife and sweetheart, Els-Marie Gustafsson, at an LDS youth conference in Jé�nké�ping, Sweden. He was so excited to meet other youth of the Church that he rode his bicycle for several days (182 miles) to attend. He was later called to serve a full-time mission in Sweden; however before completing his missionary service, Clifford was asked to fulfill his military duty. Born an American citizen, he was drafted into the US Army in April 1946 and served as part of the occupational forces in Germany where he continued his missionary service. While in Germany, Clifford was deeply touched by the suffering he saw and did all he could to bring what food and other resources to the German people. He was released from his mission and military service in July 1947. Upon his release, Clifford directly returned to the US to help his family build their homes in Lindon, UT. While there, he became reacquainted with Els-Marie, who had arrived from Sweden in 1948. He finally won her heart. They were married in the Salt Lake Temple on January 11, 1949. The couple was blessed with 6 children: Laila Parry (Joel), Kenneth (Debbie), Ronald (Jan), Steven (Crystal), Yvonne Russell (Wilf), and Sonja. They have 16 grandchildren and 40 great grandchildren. Clifford is survived by his eternal companion, 6 children, and a sister, Viva Blackhurst of Pocatello, ID. Proceeded in death by his parents, 5 siblings, and a great grandchild. Clifford worked as a masonry contractor from the time he arrived in the US until he retired at age 70. During this time he built many schools, commercial buildings, church meetinghouses, and homes in Utah, Idaho, Nevada, Wyoming, and Oregon. He was asked to build or reconstruct many of the buildings on the BYU campus and did his highest work on the 1,215 ft. Kennecott smokestack near the Great Salt Lake. He also served as Lindon City Building Inspector for 10 years and 7 years as Lindon City Planning Commissioner. Church service played a key role in Clifford's life. As a Seventy, he served several Stake and leadership missions, including a 9-month mission to oversee construction of the first stake center in Portland, OR during which time his youngest child was born. Among other callings, he also served as high priest group leader and on the Stake high council. He was called to be a counselor in the Stockholm Sweden Temple presidency in 1994 and served as a sealer in the Stockholm Sweden and Mt. Timpanogos temples. Clifford will be remembered for his work ethic, sense of duty, frugality, creativity, love of gardening, gift of art and music, exchanging email with family and friends, sense of humor, and delighting his children and grandchildren. There wasn't anything that he couldn't fix. He showed his deep love by helping each family member with projects around their homes. He unselfishly sacrificed for and served his children, teaching them by word and example. All service was marked by his strong but quiet and reserved manner. Funeral services will be held Saturday, October 25, 2014 at 1 PM at the LDS Lindon 2nd Ward chapel, 610 West 100 South, Lindon. A visitation will be held on Friday evening from 6-8 PM at the Sundberg-Olpin Mortuary, 495 South State Street, Orem and also Saturday at the ward chapel from 11:45-12:45 AM prior to the services. Interment will be in the Lindon City Cemetery. American Legion Post #72 will conduct military honors. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.SundbergOlpinMortuary.com.

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