John “Johnny” Corvin Johnson, age 78 years, passed away Sunday, August 2, 2026 at his home in Clinton, MO. Arrangements have been entrusted to Vansant-Mills Funeral Home of Clinton, MO and are pending at this time. Fond memories and condolences can be left online at www.vansant-millsfuneralhome.com.
John “Johnny” Corvin Johnson was born July 30, 1948 in Clinton, Missouri the son of Arlie A. Johnson and Nancy Eugenia (Bowser) Johnson. Jobs as a boy growing up included running a Clinton Daily Democrat paper route, working at the A&W root beer stand as the mug washer, mowing several yards using Dad’s lawn boy mower, mowing the grass and raking the sand greens at the Clinton golf course, and as janitor at the Missouri Public Service building on the Clinton square.
John drove a 1956 black and white two door hardtop Chevy Bel Air during high school until graduation in 1966 when he joined the United States Navy. From July 1966 through July 1969 he served on the island of Guam as the communications yeoman, and in Vietnam on a PT Boat complex in Bin Thuy, Vietnam, again in communications.
After returning home Johnny worked at the JL Goss clothing store on the Clinton square as a salesperson, then attended his freshman year at SW Missouri State in Springfield, MO before marrying Anneita L. Sell in 1970. John worked for the Jarman Shoe Co. at the Battlefield Mall in Springfield and was transferred to Pueblo, Colorado as store manager. He then returned to Clinton and purchased Roy’s Shoe store on the Clinton square before selling it and starting his 35-year career working for RJ Reynolds Tobacco Company in 1973.
After his retirement, John worked at a part time job with Washington Inventory Services, and then started another 16-year part-time job with Cheyenne International tobacco company before retiring once again in January of 2025 due to health reasons.
John had two children during his marriage, a son Jeff W. Johnson in 1973 and a daughter Julie R. Johnson born in 1975, both of whom he loved dearly.
John accepted Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior in 1972. The family had many happy years attending the NE Baptist Church where he served as deacon, and then a the Assembly of God Church where helped with the music service as song leader for a time.
Starting in 2008 John began going to Gulf Shores/Orange Beach, Alabama every year usually in the fall to enjoy time on the beach and the warmer fall weather. His best friend and neighbor Tisa Pinkston accompanied him for most of those years.
John was a KC Chiefs season ticket holder for over 20 years and enjoyed watching the Chiefs in person and on TV. Also, in 2nd place were the KC Royals. Both his teams brought him joy with Super Bowl and World Series wins towards the end of his life here on earth.
John is survived by his son Jeff Johnson and wife Shannon of Lee’s Summit, MO, daughter Julie Marek and husband Ken of Clinton, MO, granddaughter Kyndall Akey and husband Tyler of Lawson, MO, grandsons Dakota Kalberloh and wife Cody of Lowry City, MO, Rafe Kalberloh of Clinton, MO, Parker Johnson of Kansas City, MO, Taylor Bivins and wife Lexi of Dallas, TX, Connor Bivins and wife Dania of Venice, Italy, and Aiden Cohorst of Lee’s Summit, MO. 3 great-grandsons Ridge Akey, Hollis Corvin Akey, and Jordan Bivins, and 1 great-granddaughter Poppy Kalberloh. John is also survived by his brothers Jerry Johnson of Lee’s Summit, MO and Arlie Johnson of North Palm Beach, FL, and sisters Janet Newman, JoAnn Westendorff and Judy Barnes all of Clinton, along with many nieces and nephews.
John was preceded in death by his parents Arlie A. and Nancy E. Johnson and brother Jimmy Johnson.
Services are under the direction of Vansant-Mills Funeral Home of Clinton, MO.
