Clayton Eldon Johnson, the son of G. Edwin "Eddie" and Minnie E. (Landerholm) Johnson was born August 19, 1932 in Red Oak, Iowa. He passed away on Sunday, September 15, 2013 at the Immanuel-Fontenelle Home in Omaha, Nebraska at the age of 81 years and 27 days. Clayton was raised on the family farm northeast of Essex. He attended country school at the Center School through 8th grade and graduated from Red Oak High School in l950. Clayton was joined in marriage to Mary Louise Nelson on September 16, 1951 in Red Oak, Iowa. Following their marriage, they lived on a farm northeast of Essex, where he was engaged in farming with his father and brother, Curtis. In 1952, Clayton joined the United States Coast Guard where he served at several stations, finishing his four years in Kodiak, Alaska. He returned to farming in l957, when he and his family moved to a farm on the northwest edge of Essex, living there until 2009. He then moved to Shenandoah for a year, and the last three years lived in Omaha, Nebraska. Clayton had been a substitute mail carrier and bus driver for the Essex School district before renting out his farm. In 1973, Clayton went to work at Uniroyal Inc. in Red Oak, later purchased by Parker Hannifin where he worked for close to 24 years, until his retirement in l997. Clayton was a lifelong member of the Fremont Lutheran Church, Nyman where he was baptized and confirmed. He had served on the Church Council and Essex School Board. Clayton was a member of the American Legion Post #333 until a couple of years ago. Clayton enjoyed being outdoors and loved spending time with his family and friends, always ready to tell a joke. Clayton was preceded in death by his parents; wife of 51 years, Mary Louise on June 28, 2003; son, Randy in 2010; sister, LaVose Otte and brother, Curtis Johnson. Clayton is survived by daughters: Deb Comstock and husband Terry of Omaha, NE; and Vicki Maher and husband Chris, of Omaha, NE; two grandchildren: Sara Comstock and husband Josh Livermore of South Bend, IN; and Andy Comstock of Coon Rapids, MN; his sweet great-grandchildren: Abram, Stella and Isabel Mary Livermore; nieces, nephews, sisters-in-law; and a host of friends he made along the way. May God bless his memory and give strength to those who mourn. Funeral Service will be held Wednesday, September 18, 2013 at 10:30 a.m. at the Fremont Lutheran Church, Nyman Burial in Mt. Hope Cemetery, Nyman Rev. Jerry Lamb, Officiating Visitation with the family will be held Wednesday morning at Fremont Lutheran Church from 9:30 a.m. until service time at 10:30 a.m. A memorial is being established in Clayton's name. Sellergren-Lindell-DeMarce Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.