Johnson, Claude Lorace "CL" was born on February 13, 1932 in Lyons, Texas to Mildred Henslee and Claude Johnson. CL's father died in a mining accident when he was 5 years old. He grew up in Phoenix AZ and attended North Phoenix High School where he excelled in baseball and football. CL turned down a baseball scholarship to play minor league baseball for the Giants. An injury cut his baseball career short. Although he later played semi-pro with the Casa Grand Cotton Kings. He enlisted and served for two years in the Air Force. CL continued his education at Arizona State University where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in civil engineering in 1961. CL worked for the Bureau of Reclamation, working on the Central Arizona Project and later transferred to the Farmer's Home Administration where he retired at age 56. CL met and fell in love with Kathleen Moore Thompson, a widow with two young children, Steve and Leslie. They married in 1959 and added Kimberly and Susan to the family. CL and Kathleen adored each other and had a beautiful marriage of 54 years. They moved from Phoenix to Loveland CO to escape the heat and for CL to discover new places to hike. Over the years CL had many hobbies. He enjoyed hunting and fishing, archery, leather work and was a master woodworker. He made beautiful furniture pieces for family and friends. He learned the art of wood turning and made elegant segmented bowls and vases. He loved to hike in the desert and mountains of the West. A particular passion was hiking in the Grand Canyon. He started running in the 1970s and ultimately became an ultra trail runner. He ran 50 mile races along the Mogollon rim. Kathleen was stricken with Alzheimer's's disease and as she declined CL was a steadfast and devoted husband. He was Kathleen's constant companion and caregiver until her death. As fate would have it, CL met Kay Wachtman at a church group. Together they brought each other much happiness in the last three years of CL's life. CL died peacefully in his home from ALS surrounded by loved ones. CL is survived by his children, Steve Thompson of Loveland CO, Leslie Thompson Cheely of Peoria AZ, Kimberly Johnson of Portland OR, Susan Johnson Andersen of Milliken CO and his sister Christine Slosser of Lubbock TX. He is also survived by seven grandchildren, five great grandchildren, three nieces, and his 2 adoring dogs. He was preceded in death by his mother, father, step-father, Harold Ellis, sister Janelle Hillebert and wife Kathleen. CL had a life well lived and will be forever missed. A service celebrating CL's life will be held on Saturday, March 25th at 3:00 at Trinity Lutheran Church in Loveland, CO. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in CL's name to Pathways Hospice of Larimer County, Memorial Donations: 35 Carpenter Rd., Ft. Collins, CO 80525 who helped to make CL's passing at home comfortable and peaceful.