Clayton E. Johnson, 74

In Loving Memory of Clayton E. Johnson

May 25, 1952 – Sept. 30, 2026

Clayton E. Johnson walked with the Lord at a steady pace, the same faithful man in every season and every place he was sent.

Born and raised in the Arizona desert, Clayton earned a business degree from the University of Arizona in 1976 and returned there for his nursing degree in 1985. Commissioned as an officer in the U.S. Army the following year, he served as a captain in Washington, D.C. and at Fort Huachuca, Ariz. After leaving the Army in 1990, he stayed in Sierra Vista, caring for patients at an Arizona state correctional institution and at a Life Care Center facility.

Clayton and his wife, Sandy, followed the Lord's call into missions. After training with Wycliffe Bible Translators in Dallas, they moved to Nairobi, Kenya, where they spent several years supporting the work of bringing Scripture to people in their own languages. He later continued that work with Wycliffe in Costa Mesa, Calif.

In 1998, he moved to Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, and began the work that would fill the rest of his life: 28 years as Assistant Pastor of North Country Chapel in Post Falls. 

In 2007, Clayton lost Sandy to cancer.

Two years later, God blessed him with a new beginning when he married Lori Castleman. United in their faith and their obedience to Christ, they shared seventeen full years. Clayton's loud laugh filled a room, and together they chased adventure on a motorcycle and on trips that took them from Wyoming to Antarctica to the Green Bay Packers Hall of Fame.

Clayton was intentional and thoughtful in his generosity. He noticed where help was called for and made sure those in need were taken care of. He invested in young people with the same care, setting them up to succeed on the path in front of them.

When cancer came for him as well, Clayton trusted that God's will would be done. Through a long illness, he faithfully continued serving his church, his community, and Lori with the same love and kindness he had always shown.

Clayton completed his earthly journey peacefully in Coeur d'Alene at the age of 74. He carried his faith from the Arizona desert to Nairobi to the mountains of North Idaho, and now it has carried him home.

He is survived by his wife, Lori Johnson, and his brothers, Kip Johnson and Bryan Johnson.

A memorial service will be held Saturday, Oct. 31, at 11 a.m. at North Country Chapel in Post Falls, Idaho. In place of flowers, please consider a gift to Hospice House of North Idaho in Clayton's memory.