Obituary of Claude E Johnson

A Piece of his Epitaph Claude Earl Jonson was born on June 16, 1949, in Philadelphia PA.  He was affectionally called Clo E by his Mom. Claude was reared in the Nicetown / Tioga community of Philadelphia; PA and educated in the Philadelphia School system. He attended Pratt-Arnold Elementary School, Gillespie Junior High School, Downingtown Industrial School, Chester County, Pennsylvania and then graduated from Benjamin Franklin High School. While at Downington he sang in the choir. The choir traveled throughout Pennsylvania for various engagements. His Mom and sister, Cheryl loved to hear them sing “Elijah Rock”. Throughout his adolescence, along with his brothers Carl and Clayton they spent their summers on the Eastern Shore. During one of their summer visits his aunt and uncle's house caught on fire. Claude then a teenager, was able to save his aunt's life from the fire. He displayed the true signs of a hero. The family attended Zion Baptist Church where Claude was baptized by Rev Leon H. Sullivan. His Zion activities included the Boy Scout Troop #303 with Deacon Richardson and he served briefly on the youth usher board. Claude enlisted into the US Army not long after his graduation from high school. He served during the Vietnam era. After his service in the military, Claude then pursued his interest in fashion. His eye for Fashion eventually landed him a job in New York City at Vera Fashion, working in the fashion district. Like the rest of his siblings, he also had an opportunity to work and learn the family business, A to Z Maintenance. Claude’s final occupation was an Entrepreneur and Author. Claude was a published author under an alias. As a result of his journeys often to New York he became a native New Yorker, finally landing at the Pelham Grand where he lived for the past eight years. He was a staple of the Pelham community. Claude was known as the ‘Building Gardner’ as he loved nature and plants. Claude enjoyed the finer things in life including wonderful food, fashionable clothing and had every color sneaker you could have imagined. He also had a special gift for carpentry.  While at Benjamin Franklin High School he built his little sister Cheryl a dollhouse. The dollhouse resembled something of a skilled architect. Claude also enjoyed great music and dancing with his sister Cheryl that he called Peanut. Claude had eccentric interest including his love of reptiles. You would know Claude was in the room by his infectious laughter and smile. Near the end of his life, he fought valiantly. Even in the midst of his final health challenge, he made sure to let his medical staff know he loved the Lord. He also asked for them to remind his family of how much he loved them. Claude leaves to cherish his memory: his mother Viola; siblings Luicus Williams (Barbara), Clayton Johnson, Eunice Howard, Cheryl Johnson, Cameron Williams, Tracey Inzar, and Camille Williams-Mathis (Chef); his Aunt Shirley Hunt, a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, special friends, neighbors, and staff of the Alliance and Pelham Grand. “Let no man write my epitaph let my life speak for itself”!