Clyde A. Johnson, 94, passed away Friday, November 14, 2014, at his home in Peachtree City, GA., surrounded by his family. He was born in Eau Claire on October 21, 1920, the son of Richard Johnson and Bessie (Cass) Johnson. He graduated from Eau Claire High School with the class of 1937, and attended Eau Claire Teachers College before enlisting in the U.S. Navy during World War II. During four years of active WWII service, he served as a pilot of lighter-than-air craft (blimps), a navigator in heavier-than-air craft, and an instructor in Aeronautics. During submarine patrol duty he was credited with saving the lives of a ten-member crew when their blimp crashed in the ocean and he successfully transmitted their coordinates before evacuation to lifeboats, where they were stranded for 3 days before being rescued. He later completed 20 years of reserve duty, attaining the rank of Lt. Commander. During the war he married his high school sweetheart, the former Geraldine Regli of Eau Claire. After the war he received his B.A. degree from the University of Minnesota. Over the course of his business career, he worked for 20 years in the insurance industry at Northwestern National Life Insurance Company, Minneapolis, MN; Pacific Mutual Life Insurance Company, Los Angeles, CA; and Insurance Co. of North America, Philadelphia, PA. Thereafter, he became the Senior Vice President and Corporate Secretary of United Cities Gas Co. (now Atmos Energy Co.) in Nashville, TN, retiring after 20 years to take care of his wife. He enjoyed playing golf and bridge, gardening and music, and was a self-taught artist. He had a quick sense of humor and a wonderful appreciation for the simple things in life, including the beauty of nature. Clyde was preceded in death by his parents; his wife of 66 years, Gerry; and her sister Dorothy Nelson; his brothers and sister, Gene, Howard, and Russell Johnson and Myrl Rowan; and his niece Laurel Nelson. Survivors include his daughters, Barbara Schneider (Peter) of Atlanta, GA and Nancy Johnson of Alexandria, VA; his grandchildren, Rebecca Schneider of Boulder, CO and Mark Schneider of NYC; his brother-in-law Delos Nelson of Eau Claire; and his sister-in-law Patricia Johnson of Eau Claire; along with numerous nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be at 11 am, Thursday, November 20, 2014, at Lenmark-Gomsrud-Linn Funeral Home, 814 First Avenue, Eau Claire, with the Rev. Rolf A. Nestingen officiating. Interment will be in Lakeview Cemetery immediately following.

Service Information

Cemetery

Lakeview Cemetery 1500 Buffington Drive Eau Claire WI 54703

Visitation

Thursday, November 20 2014 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM

Lenmark-Gomsrud-Linn Funeral & Cremation Services 814 First Avenue Eau Claire WI 54703

Funeral Service

Thursday, November 20 2014 11:00 AM

Lenmark-Gomsrud-Linn Funeral & Cremation Services 814 First Avenue Eau Claire WI 54703