Johnston Clovis Obituary

Johnston Lee
Clovis
August 3, 1940
September 22, 2024

Clovis Johnston was a devoted husband and a wonderful father. A Colorado Springs native, he grew up on the Westside and graduated from Manitou Springs High School in 1958. He was preceded in death by his wife, Jonne, and his sisters Carolyn and Elaine. Clovis leaves behind his sister, Mary Ann Harden of Madisonville, Tennessee and his cousin Phillip Sullivan of Black Forest. His oldest son Christopher and wife Dawn, currently reside in Keller, Texas. His granddaughter Emily is a freshman at Benedictine College. His youngest son Matthew and spouse Lynne live in Crested Butte. He loved Lynne's daughters, Ashley and Casandra, and their extremely welcoming and supportive families.
Clovis strived to achieve great things, when in college, Clovis attempted to bicycle home from Salina, Kansas, but wound up hitchhiking most of the way to Manitou Springs after his bicycle suffered mechanical failure. In 1961, Clovis became a Methodist minister. While working as a postal worker, he met his future wife Jonne, he converted to Catholicism, and they were married in August of 1964 in Pauline Chapel. They were married for over 56 years.
Clovis was willing to do anything to support his family, in fact, he held many different occupations during his life. These included careers at Clifton Precision, Honeywell and many years at Walter Drake and Sons as the Director of Merchandise and Marketing. He volunteered his time as a basketball coach and scout leader at Divine Redeemer Catholic School. He later worked as a stockbroker, roofer, Manager of Bingo Operations for St. Mary's High School and finally retired in 2006 after a rewarding career as a Building Inspector for the Pikes Peak Regional Building Department. He is loved by his children and their friends.
While Clovis loved his family more than anything, the Mount Manitou Incline held a close second place in his heart. After retiring, Clovis hiked up the Incline over 1700 times. In 2008, Clovis lost Megan, his sweet chocolate labrador while hiking up the Incline. He hiked up and down the Incline 3 times that day posting flyers and trying to find her. It turned out that Megan "hiked" to the Summit of Pikes Peak and rode down the Cog Railroad with a stranger before being reunited with Clovis and Jonne late that evening. More than the trail itself, Clovis loved the Manitou Incline community. He developed many friendships while climbing those excruciating 2768 steps ascending into the sky, making the pain more bearable for him and whoever he met.
Not surprisingly, Clovis made many friends where he lived in the Divine Redeemer community. No daily neighborhood walk would be complete if he didn't have at least 1 or 2 conversations along the way. He was 'that neighbor' who knew just about anyone who walked by his house and if he didn't already know them, he would endeavor to make a new friend. He cherished every opportunity to speak with his neighbors, ask about their kids and pet their dogs. These friendships lasted long after he left his home on Yampa Street. He truly enjoyed every visit he received from his neighbors and Incline friends while living at Bear Creek Senior Living. He especially enjoyed his trips to Walmart with his cousin, Phil Sullivan, who visited him often and went above and beyond to support him.
Clovis was a life-long Denver Broncos fan, watching them play every week. Every time John Elway's team was down 2 scores with 5 minutes left in a game, he would always say: "We got 'em right where we want 'em!" and he was usually right.
A Funeral Mass will be held on Wednesday, November 6th at 11am, followed by a reception at Divine Redeemer Catholic Church. All family, friends, coworkers, neighbors and Incliners are invited to attend.