Obituary of Jeffery C. Johnson
Jeffery C. Johnson, age 65, passed away peacefully after a courageous battle with cancer with family by his side at his home in Morris on Sunday, August 20, 2023. Jeff was born on December 24, 1957, in Jefferson City, MO, to Jana (Klatt) Johnson and the late Curtis Johnson. At a young age, his family moved to Morris, where he had been a resident ever since. He was a graduate of Morris Community High School, Class of 1975. There he met his high school sweetheart, Paula Claire, and the two were married on June 2, 1979, at Immaculate Conception Church in Morris.
Jeff worked for Caterpillar in Pontiac for 32 years, retiring in 2010. While there, he also served as Union Steward for UAW Local 2096 for 10 years. He raced stock cars at the Grundy County Speedway from 1978 to 1982 and was a member of the Hagerty Drivers Club. In his spare time after retirement, he enjoyed walking his best friend, Holley; driving the car of his dreams, a replica 1965 Shelby Cobra. He and Paula would spend many sunny days just riding around. He also liked to drive the car to different area car shows and cruise nights. He also enjoyed doing yard work and planning the flower gardens and had picked up whittling as a recent hobby. He made a point to go to as many activities for his grandchildren as he could. Jeff was proud to be a Green Bay Packer Shareholder and followed the St. Louis Cardinals baseball team.
Jeff is survived by his beloved wife of 44 years, Paula; their daughter, Angela (Brian Stroup) Johnson-Simon; their son, Branden (Katie) Johnson; their grandchildren, Isabella (Pat Stevenson) Simon, Jackson Simon, and Amelia Johnson; his mother, Jana Johnson; brother Greg Johnson; mother-in-law Dorothy Claire; brothers-in-law, Paul (Kathi) Claire and Phillip (Jayne) Claire; sister-in-law Phyllis Claire; and numerous nieces, nephew, aunts and cousins also survive.
He is preceded by his father, Curtis Johnson; father-in-law, Alvin “Sonny” Claire; paternal grandparents, James and Susie Johnson; and maternal grandparents, Owen and Leacy Klatt.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Jeff’s name to the Make-A-Wish Foundation would be appreciated.
Funeral services for Jeffery C. Johnson will be Friday, August 25, 2023, at the Fred C. Dames Funeral Home, 1201 W. U.S. Route 6, Morris, starting at 3:00 p.m. and concluding with a sharing of memories and short stories of Jeff from anyone who would like to say a few words and a final prayer at 7:00 p.m. Per Jeff’s wishes, cremation rites will be accorded and Inurnment will be private. For more information, please call 815-942-5040, or to leave an online condolence, visit his Memorial Tribute page at www.fredcdames.com.
