Clifford "Burch" Johnson, Sr. Obituary (1936

Clifford "Burch" Johnson, Sr, formerly of Madison, Indiana passed away peacefully on October 10, 2022, at Baptist Hospital in Little Rock, Arkansas. Burch was born in Stateline, Mississippi on August 2, 1936. He was the son of Herbert and Ruth Burch Johnson and was raised by his Uncle Sylvester Johnson and his wife Ida Mae. Burch grew up in Memphis, Tennessee where he met and married his sweetheart, Jeanne "Jackie" Wasson. This 65-year union was blessed with two children, Cliff and Kem. Burch was a 1955 graduate of Whitehaven High School in Memphis, Tennessee. He was a proud graduate of Memphis State University where he played basketball and baseball during his freshman year. Burch valued education. In 1967, Burch completed his Business Administration degree after attending evening classes for 12 years while he worked to support his wife and young children. After receiving his college degree, Burch moved his family to Madison, Indiana when he accepted the promotion as Treasurer with Dover Corporation/Rotary Lift Division. While in Madison, Burch enjoyed volunteering for many organizations. He helped found the first organized Little League baseball and football programs in Madison, and coached numerous baseball, football, and basketball teams. Burch also served on the City of Madison Park Board, Madison Booster Club, and the First National bank board. He was among key supporters who were instrumental in the development of the Warren R. Rucker Sports complex where Burch has a baseball field named in his honor. In 1984, Burch and Jackie moved back to Memphis when Burch became the President of Rotary Lift. Burch always took pride that he had worked his way up from Mailroom Clerk to President. Throughout his 32-year career with Rotary Lift, Burch always cherished the people he worked with and the friendships he formed, especially during the years his family lived in Madison. Burch was also a partner with CBJ Properties in Madison for 28 years. Burch enjoyed traveling, golfing, boating and water skiing with his family on the Ohio River and lakes in Kentucky. Burch later held several consulting positions in Nashville, Tennessee, Jacksonville, Florida, Bay Springs, Mississippi, Laurel, Mississippi and Memphis, Tennessee. Upon retirement in 1998, Burch and Jackie settled in Maumelle, Arkansas. In 2001, Burch came out of retirement, campaigned door to door in his community of 20,000 and became the first elected Mayor of Maumelle for 2 terms. He later served on the Maumelle City Council from 2009-2014. Burch continued his passion of coaching and volunteering in the Maumelle community and later driving the school bus for field trips for the Maumelle Charter School until his final retirement. Burch was extremely proud of the Maumelle Senior Wellness Center that he initiated as mayor. He and Jackie enjoyed volunteering there and throughout Maumelle as the Maumelle community was very dear to both of them. Burch always had a passion for helping people and he never met a stranger. During his lifetime, Burch received many honors and held several memberships. In 1972, Burch was honored to receive the Outstanding Young Men of America award. He was a member of The Presidents Club and "M" Club at the University of Memphis. Burch served on the Board of Directors of the Petroleum Equipment Institute, Equipment Tool Institute and was President of the Automotive Lift Institute. He also served on the American Cancer Society, American Heart Association and United Fund. Burch served on the Board of Directors of Maumelle Chamber of Commerce and received the Boss of the Year award from the National Jaycees. A Loving Family Burch loved his family and made it an annual ritual to call each family member on their birthday and sing happy birthday. Burch will be sadly missed by his loving family, his son Cliff Johnson and wife Julie of Fishers, Indiana, his daughter Kem Ray and her husband Allan Miller of Maumelle, Arkansas, his five beloved grandsons, Dylan Ray, Tanner Ray, Logan Ray, Luke Johnson, and Brantley Johnson. Burch was preceded in death by his loving wife of 65 years, Jeanne "Jackie" Johnson who passed away on June 2, 2021, his parents, his brother H.T., sisters Virginia and Linda Ruth. Visitation and Memorial Visitation with the family will be Thursday, November 10, 2022, from 5-7pm and Friday, November 11, 2022, from 1-2pm at Roller Chenal Funeral Home in Little Rock, Arkansas. The Memorial Service will be Friday, November 11, 2022, at 2pm. Memphis Memory Gardens in Memphis, Tennessee will be Burch and Jackie's final resting place. Expressions of Sympathy Expressions of sympathy in memory of Burch Johnson can be directed to the City of Madison Parks Department/Warren R. Rucker Sports Complex, 101 West Main Street, Madison, Indiana 47250 Local Arrangements by: Morgan & Nay Funeral Centres Place An Online Memorial To send a flower arrangement in memory of Clifford "Burch" Johnson, Sr., please click here to visit our sympathy store.