Cletus Alexander Johnson, of Hopkinsville, began his journey on August 2, 1944, on the family farm in North Christian County. He continued to live on family property, where he finished his Race on November 27, 2024, at 2:35 am at the age of 80 years. After a 21-year battle with Cancer, he has won the victory and gone to his heavenly resting place in the land of no more pain, suffering, and sickness. He ran the race of life with faith and endurance and now he has gone to receive his reward.
Cletus’ parents were the late Wesley Samuel and Virginia Smith Johnson.
Cletus attended the local schools having graduated from Attucks High School in 1964. While at Attucks he was a member of the Future Farmers of America and the Track Team. He was also very active in the 4-H Club winning many awards including a two-week all-expense paid trip to Washington, D.C.
Following graduation, He joined the US Army, stationed at Fort Bliss, in El Paso, TX. He earned the rank of SP4 and received the National Defense Service Medal, the Good Conduct Medal, and the Marksman Rifle Award. Upon his return to Hopkinsville, he was employed by Phelps Dodge Magnet Wire, Kaufman and Broad Mobile Home Construction Company, Rogers Construction, and then as a civilian employee for the Department of the Army at Fort Campbell.
While at Fort Campbell, he was licensed by the Academy of Health Sciences, Fort Sam Houston, TX, as a certified Pest Management Technician. He received advanced training at Purdue University in Lafayette, IN.
He retired in 2014 from Fort Campbell after almost 34 years of employment. He received numerous awards while there, including “Civilian Employee of the Year for 2013” and the Commander’s Award for Civilian Service in 2014. In 2010, he was named “Attucks Alumni of the Year” by the Attucks Class of ’65 Club at their 4th Annual “Men of Purpose” Banquet.
Cletus also attended Music City Academy of Broadcasting, in Nashville, TN receiving his FCC Broadcasting License for radio and television.
Cletus was a very active member of the Mount Olive Baptist Church, for over 40 years, where he served in many capacities including Chairman of the Deacons’ Ministry; Church trustee; Sunday School Teacher; Member of the Brotherhood Ministry; Feed the Hungry Ministry, the Pastor’s Aid Ministry, Benevolent Ministry, Transportation Ministry and the Brotherhood Chorus. No task was too great or too small for him to undertake at the Church.
He served as the President of the Kentucky Baptist Laymen, an auxiliary to the General Association of Baptists in Kentucky, and had been a member of this auxiliary for over 30 years. He had also been a member of the Executive Board of the State Baptist Unified Christian Leadership Conference. He served for over 40 years as the secretary for the Ministers, Deacons, and Laymen’s Alliance. He served several terms as the Secretary for the First District Ministers,
Deacons, and Laymen League. (MDLL) He was the featured speaker for various church-related services and on other occasions. He became known for his spirit-filled presentations.
Cletus and his wife Marcia were married for 50 years, having celebrated their Golden Wedding Anniversary and his 80th birthday in August of this year. They were together through it all including sickness and health, until death parted them.
He had a sense of humor, and if you were around him very long he would have you laughing. He was known for kicking up his leg to indicate how He was feeling! He had jokes. In his early years, he was a performing comedian.
He loved the Lord, and his life reflected that. He was always willing to serve in any capacity in the Kingdom. Even when his health had become more challenging the past few years, he continued to fight on, and when asked how he felt, he would say, “I won’t complain, I can’t complain. God is a keeper.” He knew without a shadow of a doubt that God was keeping him. God’s amazing grace kept him through many dangers, toils, and snares.
Cletus loved to run, and during the early years, he ran many 5K, 10K, and even half marathon races. In later years he loved to participate in the Senior Games. As he was also running this race of life, He knew that one day ‘this old race will soon be over, and there’ll be no more race for me to run. And when I stand before God’s throne, all of my heartaches will be gone. I’ll hear my Savior say, “Welcome home.”
In the prayer of his grandson Cree, he asked God to give his grandaddy a golden ticket, so he could go to heaven to be with him. Your prayer has been answered, Cree.
He leaves to cherish precious memories: his devoted and loving wife Marcia Means Johnson; Sons, Cletus Alexander (Enjoli) Johnson II, St. Augustine, FL and John Wesley Johnson, Tampa, FL; Grandchildren, Caylx Alexandra and Cree Alexander Johnson, St. Augustine, FL; One brother, John Wesley (Shirley) Johnson, Hopkinsville, one niece Beverly (Leamon) Tillmon, Rosharon, TX, and many extended family members and close friends. He never met a stranger and will be missed by many who had the privilege of knowing him.
Gamble Funeral Home in Hopkinsville is in charge of the arrangement.
Funeral services will be Thursday, December 5, 2024, at 10:30 am at Mt. Olive Baptist Church
Burial will follow in the Kentucky Veterans Cemetery West.
Visitation will begin on Wednesday, December 4 at 3:00 at the church.
