Clarence Eugene Johnson

Funeral Services for Clarence Johnson will be held Monday July 11,2022, 10:00 AM in the Kiesau Memorial Chapel officiated by Bill Smithey. Burial will be at the Stafford Cemetery and under the direction of Kiesau-Lee Funeral Home. Clarence Eugene Johnson was born November 1, 1941 in Elk City, Oklahoma to Arthur and Lena Johnson. He passed away July 7, 2022 at Great Plains Medical Center in Elk City. He was a resident at Baptist Village of Elk City, Oklahoma. Clarence attended Stafford Schools until high school, when his parents relocated to Westville, Oklahoma. He graduated from Westville High School in 1959. He attended Oklahoma State University and graduated in 1963 with a Bachelor of Science in Engineering. He then pursued advanced degrees in Agricultural Engineering while serving as a Graduate Research assistant and instructor at Iowa State University. While there, he received a Master of Science Degree in 1968 and a Ph.D. in 1969. Following his graduate education at Iowa State, Clarence accepted an Associate Professorship in Agricultural Engineering at South Dakota State University in Brookings, South Dakota. Early in 1977 he became an Engineering Researcher for the USDA Agricultural Research Service in Pendleton, Oregon. In 1979 he became a Professor of Biosystems Engineering at Auburn University in Auburn Alabama. He continued in that capacity until his retirement in 1998. Upon his retirement he was awarded Professor Emeritus from Auburn University. During the span of his career, Clarence gained notoriety in many areas of his field, including: Authoring and Co-authoring numerous technical and research papers. Teaching, helping and mentoring many students and graduate students in their study. Consultant for Engineering Design in Patents, Farm Machinery, Soil Dynamics, and Design and Analysis of Agricultural Machinery Components. Awarded the prestigious John Deere Gold Metal Award in 2010 for “his distinguished Leadership and outstanding creative accomplishments in advancing soil and water Engineering as a researcher, educator and an extender of knowledge.” Clarence was a member and officer of numerous professional organizations and honor societies and was a recipient of many awards and honors. Through the American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers, he was a regular presenter, being asked to speak at conventions worldwide, presenting his research. Clarence was able to travel extensively as a result and loved seeing the world and retained many friends and acquaintances abroad. After retiring from Auburn University in 1998, he continued to reside there, but continued his thirst for life-long learning through travel to many parts of the world, and maintained contact and association with friends and business associates. Clarence was emersed in the world of NRA Competitive Shooting Sports, attending, and winning many competitions nationwide. His trophy case was full. His love of the great outdoors took him to the NRA Whittington Center in Raton, New Mexico, where he competed and eventually spent his summers on staff there. In December of 2018 Clarence relocated back to his roots in Stafford to live with his brother Leon Johnson. He thoroughly enjoyed being back on the farm and resided there until 2021 upon Leon’s death. Although Clarence never married or had children, he invested his life in those around him, both family and professionally, gaining a huge “family” in return. He is preceded in death by his parents, Arthur and Lena Johnson, and brothers A.J. and Leon Johnson. He is survived by two nieces, Barbara Marlett and husband Don of Tuttle, Oklahoma and Regina Grimmett and husband Randy of Clinton, Oklahoma. Great nieces and nephews are Erin Lonsdale and family of Brock, Texas, Austin Marlett of Yukon, Oklahoma, and Claire Bloom of Aurora, Colorado. He leaves behind a host of colleagues and friends. A great man has passed through our lives, and will be missed greatly by all who knew him.