Johnnie Charles Clanton

Johnnie Charles Clanton, 94, of Copan, OK, passed away February 6, 2026, at Guest Home Estates in Caney, KS. Johnnie was born May 18, 1931, in Chelsea, OK to Jesse Clanton and Velma (Short) Clanton. He was the fifth of seven children, growing up with 5 sisters and 1 brother in Chelsea. He graduated from Chelsea High School in 1949. Johnnie did pipeline work in KS before he enlisted in the U.S. Air Force, where he served from 1/5/51-12/30/53. Johnnie was stationed in TX, ME, and Japan. When he returned, he married Harriett "Janet" Heaps on March 19, 1954. They were married 68 years until Janet passed away October 20, 2022.

Johnnie and Janet welcomed their daughter, Judy, on January 23, 1955. The family lived in Tulsa, Bixby, rural Wann, and Copan. Johnnie worked for Bethlehem Steel, for Tulsa and Washington counties, Pepsi, and then the State Department of Transportation for Nowata County until he retired in 1991.

Johnnie was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, Janet, brother Jimmy Clanton, sisters: Vergie Martin-Fair, Margie Carver, Ruth Carter, Mary Warren, and Jane Todd, and multiple brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law.

He is survived by his daughter, Judy (Clanton) Forth and husband Rick of Copan, granddaughter Shannon Perrier and husband Keven of Bartlesville, grandson Travis Forth of Copan, great-grandchildren Hunter Perrier, Jaycie Perrier, Jesse Forth, and Greyston Forth, brother-in-law Leon Warren, sister-in-law Treva Murray and husband David, brother-in-law Doyle Hayes and wife Jane, brother-in-law Roy Noblitt, sister-in laws Sue Decker, Sue Hayes, and Marla Hayes, and numerous nieces and nephews.

Johnnie enjoyed reading books, mostly westerns, doing crossword puzzles, and phone calls with family, old classmates, and friends. When they lived at Wann, he loved to sit on the front porch as the sun went down, rocking in a chair and listening to the cattle grazing in the pasture. In later years, Johnnie thought his grandkids were the best, until his great-grandchildren came along! All were blessed to know and be loved by Papa and Granny Clanton for as long as they did.

Visitation will be held at Stumpff Funeral Home in Bartlesville from 5:00-7:00PM on Tuesday February 10,2026. A graveside service will be held at 2:00PM on Wednesday February 11,2026 at Winganon Cemetery .

His family would like to extend their deepest gratitude to the staff at Guest Home Estates in Caney, KS for their care and compassion over the last year and to Harry Hynes Memorial Hospice services for the last week as Johnnie made his way to his heavenly home. In lieu of flowers, the family asks for donations to be sent in remembrance to Guest Home Estates, earmarked for Activities, 400 S McGee, Caney, KS 67333.