W. Claudell Johnson, 80, a Deseret News photographer for 33 years, died Sept. 22, 1996, at LDS Hospital of pneumonia following surgery earlier this month.
Mr. Johnson, whose friendly ways won the hearts of thousands of people he photographed, underwent surgery Sept. 10 for an enlarged spleen.He was hired at the Deseret News in 1947 after serving as the official photographer on the centennial re-enactment of the Mormon pioneers' trek from Nauvoo to Salt Lake City.
Mr. Johnson enjoyed photography as a hobby as a young man and began an on-the-job training experience in the field with commercial photographer Hal Rumel. While employed at the Deseret News, he covered the Teton Dam flood in Idaho, had photographed presidents John F. Kennedy and Richard M. Nixon, many movie stars and civic and church leaders. He won many awards, including the coveted School Bell award in 1961 for a picture of a child on his first day of school.
Mr. Johnson used to say that one of the fringe benefits of working for the Deseret News was becoming acquainted with and photographing many of the LDS Church general authorities, many of whom knew him well and called him by his first name.
Mr. Johnson served 18 months as a missionary in Sweden beginning in 1934, completing his mission in the Central States Mission after military action during World War II in Europe forced the return of missionaries to the United States. He was a second lieutenant in the 222nd Field Artillery, Medical Detachment, U.S. Army.
He and his wife served an 18-month mission in the Sweden Stockholm Mission, where he was a branch president. After their return to Utah, the couple was called as the first presidents of the Primary organization of the Cambodian Branch, Park Stake. He later was a counselor and president of the branch. He was bishop for 10 years of the 31st Ward, Park Stake and served on the high council for 15 years.
Funeral is scheduled at 1 p.m. Thursday in the 31st Ward, Salt Lake Park Stake, 1078 McClelland St. (about 1100 East). Friends may call from 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at Larkin Mortuary, 260 E. South Temple, and from 11:30 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. Thursday at the church. Burial will be in the Salt Lake City Cemetery.