Clarence Amory Johnson II

Clarence Amory Johnson, II (C.A.), 77, passed away peacefully on November 13, 2014 after a courageous battle with neuroendocrine cancer of the liver. His “never-met-a-stranger” personality and relentlessly positive outlook on life were contagious to all who had the pleasure of knowing him. He adored his family and many friends, and had a gift for making you feel like the most important person in the world when you were talking with him. A salesman at heart, he was successful in both the retail industry as well as commercial real estate development. He believed it was all about the customer, and he connected with each one. When it comes to memorable personalities, C.A. was in a class all by himself. An Orlando native, he was born on April 16, 1937 to Clarence A. (Johnny) and Helen White Johnson at Orange Memorial Hospital. His paternal grandfather and great uncle piloted steamboats on the Kissimmee River. Growing up as a third generation Central Floridian, C.A. was an expert fisherman, both fresh and salt water and a local and continental hunter. He graduated from Edgewater High School in 1955, with the first senior class to have attended Edgewater for all three years. He then graduated from the Citadel in Charleston, South Carolina, where he was a company commander. From there he joined the US Air Force, with intentions of making this his career. He was honorably discharged from service, however, upon the unexpected death of his father, allowing him to move home to Orlando to manage the family business, Johnson’s Men’s Shop, a well-known men’s clothing store in downtown Orlando. He found his true calling in 1966, when he and friend Ken Higgins, joined brother-in-law Charlie Booth as partners in Southern States Land Company, a commercial real estate development company. C.A. later began his own company, C.A. Johnson Properties. He enjoyed serving on several banking boards and had a passion for sharing the Gospel with prison inmates through the Inmate Encounter organization. He also loved studying God’s word with his dear friends in his Thursday morning men’s bible study group. In 1963, C.A. married Nancy Rood of Orlando, and together they had two children, Katie and Clay. He divorced in 1997 and later married Alice Fletcher Denson in 2001. C.A. and Alice enjoyed spending winters in Orlando and New Smyrna Beach, and summers in Maine. C.A. is survived by his wife Alice, daughter Katie Herlong (Bill), son Clay Johnson; stepsons David Denson, Steve Denson (Susan), Todd Denson (Cathy), and grandchildren Grace and Anna Herlong, and Drew, Brandon, Zack and Trevor Denson. He is also survived by his sisters, Dot Booth and Janet Johnson (George), and several nieces and nephews. A service to celebrate C.A.’s life will be held at 2:00 p.m., Wednesday, November 19, at First Presbyterian Church of Orlando, followed by a reception. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Inmate Encounter, PO Box 677338, Orlando, FL 32867-7338.

Clarence Amory Johnson II

April 16, 1937 - November 13, 2014