Clarence D. Johnston

Clarence D. Johnston, 98, passed peacefully on November 10, 2023, surrounded by his family. Clarence was the first child born in May 1925 to Eva (nee: Doughten) and James Albert Johnston. Clarence lived nearly all of his entire 98 years on farms on Game Creek Road in Carneys Point, first at the family homestead and later at the neighboring farm he purchased with his wife, Thelma, across the creek. Clarence was known as a friendly, helpful and charismatic individual who would help anyone. He was a proud 1943 graduate of Regional High (ReHi) of Penns Grove and served as class president. Clarence’s leadership continued throughout his life in nearly all ventures he undertook. Clarence was a long-term employee of the DuPont Corporation and worked at the Repauno (Gibbstown), Plant I (Carneys Point) and Chambers Works facilities throughout his tenure with the company as a pipefitter and instrument mechanic. Clarence would frequently recount his days at Gibbstown as the best place he had ever worked. There he made many friendships. Never one to be idle for very long, Clarence remained busy throughout his life farming his home property with the help of his wife Thelma, sons James, John and Bruce, and grandchildren. Clarence was proud to be one of the first farmers in Salem County to utilize irrigation and of course, set up the entire system himself. Never a stranger to a challenge, Clarence built all of the buildings on his farm himself with the help of others and there was very little on the farm his hands did not touch. He and his wife returned abandoned fields to fertile, farmable ground. Throughout the years they grew peaches, asparagus, tomatoes, peppers, squash, pumpkins, soybeans, wheat, barley, rye and corn. Clarence enjoyed telling the tales of the vehicles he used throughout the years and how many baskets, bales or bins each vehicle could hold. As a child, he enjoyed trips to Florida with his grandfather Clarence Doughten and Uncle Doc, to purchase oranges, tangerines and grapefruit to be sold in Penns Grove during the winter months. Clarence was a skilled mechanic and built and rebuilt many of the tractors, vehicles and equipment on the farm through the years. A man of great faith, Clarence was an active member of the congregations of Pedricktown First Baptist Church and Park Bible Baptist Church. He taught Sunday School and enjoyed spreading the gospel through the example of his life. Clarence assisted with the founding of the Salem County Chapter of the Fellowship of Christian Farmers. He served as the organization’s first president and remained an active member throughout his life. With the Fellowship, Clarence made 18 mission trips to Mexico. He regularly recounted these trips and the wonderful friendships he made. Clarence also enjoyed travelling with his wife Thelma following his retirement from DuPont when his active farming permitted. He also enjoyed snowmobiling, riding his three wheeler and quad and his prized Grasshopper mower. Clarence always enjoyed farming, especially operating his combine for harvest. Despite suffering a disabling medical event at the age of 86, Clarence was undeterred, and his spirit never waned. He continued to lead an active lifestyle up until his death, regularly mowing grass on his property and taking trips in the car. Clarence lived independently and alone in the home he built until his death aided by regular visits and support from his family and his dear friends Betty Rodriguez, Sally Hitchner and Barbara Essington. He continued to drive until a few weeks before his death and enjoyed touring the county and its farmland. Clarence was predeceased by his parents, Eva and James Johnston, siblings James and Arthur (Elizabeth nee Slocum), wife of 75 years Thelma (nee Smith) and son Bruce. Clarence leaves to cherish his memory and carry on his determined spirit his family James (Gloria, nee: Welch), John (Lynne, nee: Merrill), Sandy (nee: Permenter), grandchildren Thomas Still (Tara, nee: Taylor), James Michael, Kelly, Alecia Grova (Vincent), Kari Kille (Patrick), Benjamin (Janice, nee: Arsenault), and Brett, as well as 9 adored great-grandchildren Cohen, Claire, Brook, Raegan, Owen, Maddix, Rory, Alexander and Madeline. Funeral services will be held on Monday, November 20, 2023, at Park Bible Baptist Church, 95 Sparks Avenue, Pennsville, NJ. Friends may visit with the family at Park Bible from 9:30am to 11:00am. Funeral service at Park Bible beginning at 11:00am. Burial at Lawnside Cemetery in Woodstown, NJ following the funeral service. In lieu of flowers, the family requests consideration of donations to the following organizations: Fellowship of Christian Farmers International – Salem County chapter, www.fcfi.org, c/o Kirk Hemple, 44 DuBois Road, Salem, NJ 08079 Meals on Wheels of Salem County, www.scmealsonwheels.org, P.O. Box 888, Elmer, NJ 08318

Clarence D. Johnston

November 10, 2023

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Clarence D. Johnston

November 10, 2023

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