Clarence ‘Ken’ Johnson

1920 - 2021

SAN DIEGO — Clarence “Ken” Johnson, 100, died peacefully after a brief illness on May 6, 2021.

Ken grew up the third of five children of Carl and Myrtle Johnson, on a farm in the Iron Range of rural Minnesota. He was predeceased by his brother Arnold and sisters Evelyn Wilcox, Judy Parsons, and Mildred Hall.

After graduating from the University of Minnesota, he spent eleven years at Westinghouse Research and Development in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, as a Metallurgical Engineer. There, he married his wife, Shirley, and they had their three children.

The family moved to the Naval base at China Lake, California, in 1955, where he continued his engineering career until his retirement in 1975. Thereafter, they enjoyed Rv’ing, quilting, golfing, and gardening. Ken was Shirley’s devoted caretaker towards the end of her life. They were married for almost 67 years prior to her death in 2011.

In 2014, Ken moved to San Diego to be closer to his daughter. There he enjoyed walks, his daily exercise program, museums, watching golf, and playing bingo. He was a great storyteller at our family gatherings in San

Diego, and beloved by all.

Ken is survived by his son Douglas of Fresno, and his daughter Andrea (Chris) Gustafson of Valley Center, California, and their two children Emily and Ivan; his son Richard (Theresa) of Conway, South Carolina; his daughter Sandra Johnson (Mary Russell) of San Diego, and their three sons Anthony Russell, George (Ellen) Russell, and their sons John and Benedict, and Aaron Russell (Wendy Enright), and their sons Christopher, Nicholas, and Quinn; and many nieces and nephews.

Ken will be remembered as a kind and humble man with his gentle spirit, good humor, easy smile, and twinkle in his eye. The family is grateful to his devoted caregivers at Nazareth House. A Celebration of Life is planned for later in the year.

Please sign the Guest Book online obituaries.sandiegouniontribune.com