Wade Johnson

Clyde Wade Johnson, Jr., 81, died September 28 at his home in Cary, North Carolina. His wife of 62 years, Penny Hammer Johnson, was by his side caring for him with patience and compassion throughout his yearslong decline in health.
Wade was born to the late Clyde Johnson and Eula Wooten Johnson on October 4, 1941, in Elizabethtown, N.C. A farm boy by birth, he was president of his high school class, attended Campbell University, but left to pursue his real passion, broadcasting, and a disc jockey job. He had an excellent radio voice, could also sing, and could certainly deploy colorful language without provocation. He enjoyed working at radio stations around North Carolina and while he reveled in the on-air gigs, he also excelled in sales. Wade was a successful salesman of everything from commercial airtime to water beds, cemetery plots, various car brands, and BS. In his later years, he spent most of his time at home reading, listening to music, and feeding snacks to his dog, Bandit. He was comfortable and well-cared for through it all.
There are many things that Wade was fond of throughout his lifetime and therefore always around: toothpicks, profanity, a well-delivered joke, true crime shows, and calling on his wife to get him the dental floss or the Neosporin. He never mastered the flip-phone and often wondered why "Alexis" would not play his music for him. He never met a chair that was comfortable, and after living the first 55 years of his life in frigid indoor temperatures including a bedroom window unit, he later converted to needing a small heater nearby in the kitchen. He loved Klondike bars, peanut butter crackers, boiled peanuts, and reading the newspaper each day.
He is survived by his younger brothers, Jerry and Jack Johnson, and their families. He was also the proud father of three children, who also survive him: daughter Angie Stephenson and husband, Charlie; son Chris Johnson; and daughter Laurie Winslow and husband Scott. While his children all gave as good as they got when dealing with their dad at times, it was their children, his grandchildren, who captured his attention as they arrived in the world: Hannah and Rachel Stephenson, Parker and Caison Winslow, and Emma Grace and Elias Johnson. While he was not as actively involved in their lives as they might have liked, he kept up with their accomplishments and adventures. He was frequently challenged by one of them who at age 4 asked him why he put fire in his mouth and how did his hair grow so fast. He got a big chuckle out of both but could not answer either question.
He was a complex person with his mix of country life and city aspirations. He was well-read, articulate, and thoughtful but often got in his own way. Loyalty was a trait he exemplified but often struggled to express and often found ways to insulate himself from too much exposure to the vagaries of life, preferring to avoid those who had much to offer. As a family, we are grateful for the way our dad provided for us during our childhood and one of our happiest times was when we moved to White Lake, NC and our parents returned to their hometown. While we were only there for four years, the time spent at White Lake, Wesley's Chapel, and his first, and only, fast-food effort called "The Fun Farm", were years we have all recollected with smiles and good memories.
We greatly appreciate the overwhelming and long-term support our family has received from friends and family with special mention to the Johnsons' Cary neighbors. They brought unconditional kindness, good thoughts and deeds, and a genuine love for our family, often daily. We also appreciate the health care workers, pharmacists, and the power of delivery services for helping all of us along the way and at some of the most unexpected times.
A keen lover of music throughout his lifetime, one of Wade's most enduring favorites was Frank Sinatra's "My Way" which is particularly appropriate and poignant as we say farewell:
"And now, the end is near
And so I face the final curtain.
My friends, I'll say it clear
I'll state my case of which I'm certain.
I've lived a life that's full,
I traveled each and every highway;
But more, much more than this
I did it my way."
Penny's husband, our dad, was resting comfortably while Alexa shared light gospel music with him as he made his way on his journey home. May he rest in peace.