Obituary of Joseph Clayton Johnson

Joseph Clayton Johnson, 81, of Ashville, NY, died January 5 at home, surrounded by family. Joe was born March 6, 1942, in Jamestown, NY, to Clayton and Mary (Trainor) Johnson. He graduated from Jamestown High School in 1959 and earned a bachelor's degree in economics at the University of Michigan in 1963. Commissioned an ensign in the U.S. Navy in 1963, Joe served in the Supply Corps on the U.S.S. Severn out of Newport, R.I., at the Naval Ordinance Station in Indian Head, Md., and at the Naval Air Station at Cubi Point, Philippines, before completing active duty as a lieutenant in 1970. Joe had a lifelong commitment to the community. He returned to his hometown to begin his professional career as Business Manager of the Jamestown Board of Public Utilities from 1970 to 1974, and went on as Director of Finance of the City of Jamestown from 1974 to 1981, Vice President and Treasurer of Chautauqua Institution from 1981 to 2004, and President and Executive Director of the Reginald A. and Elizabeth S. Lenna Foundation from 2005 to 2021. As a man of diverse interests and skills, Joe lived to be involved. He was a member of the Sportsmen's Club of Chautauqua Lake, serving as President from 1994 to 1995, and Treasurer from 1997 to 2009; Norden Club; Vikings Club; Lakewood Rod & Gun Club; American Legion Post #149; and The Cabin. Joe was a former President of the Chautauqua-Cattaraugus Library System, a member of the SUNY Fredonia College Council, founding Director and Secretary of the local chapter of Trout Unlimited, Director of the Chautauqua County Federation of Sportsmen's Clubs, Trustee of the James Prendergast Library Association, President of the Chautauqua County Visitors Bureau, President and Director of the Holmberg Foundation, Commissioner of Allegany Region State Parks, and a member of the Chautauqua County Industrial Development Agency, Chautauqua County Council of the Arts, Jobs Chautauqua Board of Directors, and the M&T Bank Advisory Board. He couldn't say no. In an acknowledgment of his contributions to the community, in 2015, Joe was awarded the John D. Hamilton Community Leadership Award by the Jamestown Community College Foundation. He served as a gubernatorial appointee to the JCC Board of Trustees from 1985 to 1992 and was a member of the JCC Foundation Board of Directors from 1998 through 2009, serving as Vice President, President, and Finance Committee member. Joe also took on various roles in many political campaigns and causes. Outside of the offices and board rooms, fly fishing was his passion. The trips on local streams, to Montana, or during his annual fishing escapades in State College, Pa. with generations of family and friends were tales of conquest and legend - mostly the latter. An avid outdoorsman, Joe hiked, camped, skied, and hunted throughout the western New York and Pennsylvania regions. While committed to living life to its fullest locally, Joe had a fascination with the world. With Jan, his wife of 44 years, he traveled widely throughout the U.S. and internationally, notably undertaking a pioneering role leading the citizen diplomacy of the Chautauqua Conferences on U.S.-Soviet Relations in the late 1980s. Joe and Jan enjoyed their winters in Tequesta, Fla. Through all their adventures near and far, Joe loved fine steaks and good whiskey, fresh fruits and vegetables from his garden, and most importantly, the company of those with whom he shared these joys. Beyond his many accomplishments, Joe (aka Arbo) was known for his character and unique personality. His insights, wisdom, wit, scrupulous ethics, incredible memory, and stimulating (and colorful) conversation were widely admired, as was his mentorship of others. His astute judgment and quick mind allowed him to quickly synthesize complex ideas and problems into practical solutions and to build bridges. Joe incorporated all this to weave stories that provoked, captivated, and entertained. Joe is survived by his wife Janice (Ulander) Johnson; sons Mark (Susan) Johnson of Mexico City and Todd (Kellie) Clayton Johnson of Elmhurst, Ill. and daughter Kim (Scott) Sollie of Pittsburgh, Pa.; brother Richard (Bridget) Johnson of Ashville; grandchildren Kiefer Johnson of Brooklyn, Shane Johnson of Williamsburg, Va., and Finn Clayton Johnson of the Bronx, Colin Johnson of Chicago, Ill., Brooke Johnson of Elmhurst, Ill., and Callahan and Larkin Sollie of Pittsburgh, Pa.; nieces Katharine Johnson of Missoula, Mont. and Claire (Camden) Johnson Baker of Mayville; several cousins; and legions of friends. He was preceded in death by his parents and an infant brother. Visitation will be held from 1:00-3:00 p.m. and 6:00-8:00 pm on Thursday, January 11, at Lind Funeral Home. Funeral services will be held on Friday, January 12, at 11:30 a.m. at St. Luke's Episcopal Church with the Rev. Luke Fodor officiating. The service will be live-streamed on St. Luke's Facebook page. Burial will be a private family ceremony at Chautauqua Cemetery at a later time. A lifelong learner, Joe began his love of reading while in grade school. He would often stop at the James Prendergast Library, where the librarian would give him books to take home. He chronicled each book he read in a journal, which he maintained to the present day. Please consider a donation to the James Prendergast Library, or any library of your choice, in lieu of flowers. Read a book. Have a drink. Think of Joe. Smile. You may leave words of condolence at www.lindfuneralhome.com.