O. Clayton Johnson

The funeral service for O. Clayton Johnson, 83, of Groton, SD, will be 11:00am, Wednesday, November 26, 2025, at St. Paul's Lutheran Church, Aberdeen with Pastor Ryan Drevlow officiating. Burial will be at Sunset Memorial Gardens. Clayton died Thursday, November 20, 2025, at Avera St. Luke's Hospital in Aberdeen, SD.
Visitation will be 6:00-7:00pm, Tuesday, followed by a prayer service at 7:00pm at Spitzer-Miller Funeral Home, 1111 South Main Street.
O. Clayton Johnson was born on June 13, 1942, to Trygve and Mary Edith (Campbell) Johnson in Miller, SD. He was the third of eight children and the first to be born in a hospital. Clayton grew up and attended school at Sunshine Bible Academy in Miller.
In 1964, Clayton enlisted in the United States Army. He was stationed in Germany and honorably discharged in 1970.
Clayton met Karen Redlinger in Seattle, WA, and the two were married on June 8, 1972. Throughout their life together, they lived in Wyoming, Minnesota, California, and Washington before ultimately settling in South Dakota. Clayton spent most of his career as a truck driver. He traveled countless miles, reaching all 50 states except Hawaii since he couldn't drive there, and Canada. He knew the roads well and could tell you exactly which truck stops were worth visiting. He retired on December 18, 2008, and devoted his time to watching and caring for his grandchildren.
Clayton was a quiet man with a sharp intellect and a warm sense of humor. He loved to read, especially westerns, Louis L'Amour novels, encyclopedias, and war history. Horses held a special place in his heart-he raised them as a child and enjoyed watching television shows featuring horses as he grew older. Above all, Clayton cherished his family and treasured every moment spent with his children and grandchildren.
Grateful for having shared Clayton's life are his children: Kari Johnson, Tara (Clint) Fjelstad, Tami Johnson, Mari (Aaron) Sundberg; grandchildren: Kyle Kohrs, Kaitlin Kohrs, Kelli Kohrs, Kimberly (Jesse) Chandler, Nathan (Jessea) Fjelstad, Jenifer Fjelstad, Trystian (Nikki) Johnson-Sanders, Veronica Johnson, Gabriella Johnson, and Elizabeth Johnson, Rebekah Sundberg, Cayden Sundberg, Scarlett Sundberg; great-grandchildren: Ronnie Fjelstad, Clayton Kohrs, Eliana Fjelstad, siblings, Bill (Gloria) Johnson and Tryva (Al) Woodley; sisters-in-law, Rachel Johnson and Bev Johnson; and many nieces and nephews.
Preceding Clayton in death are his parents, Trygve and Mary Edith Johnson; wife, Karen Johnson; and siblings: Clair (Norma) Johnson, Cecil Johnson, Bud Johnson, Robert & Stan (Dianne) Johnson.