of Maumelle, AR

August 2, 1936 - October 10, 2022

Clifford Burch Johnson, Sr., 86, of Maumelle, AR, passed away October 10, 2022.

Burch, as he was known, was born August 2, 1936, in State Line, MS, and was adopted and raised by his father and mother, Sylvester and Ida Mae Johnson, who loved him dearly.

Burch is survived by his son, Clifford Johnson, Jr. (Julie), daughter Kemberly Ray (Allan Miller), and grandsons, Dylan Ray, Tanner Ray, Logan Ray, Luke Johnson, and Brantley Johnson. He was preceded in death by his wife, Jeanne "Jackie" Lott Johnson, his father and mother, brother, Herbert "HT" Johnson, and two sisters, Ruth Bennett and Virginia Baker.

At an early age, his family moved to Memphis, TN, where he grew up and attended Whitehaven High School. There he met the love of his life, Jeanne "Jackie" Lott Johnson, whom he married in a small church in Memphis on April 14, 1956. Burch and Jackie had two children, Clifford Johnson, Jr. and Kemberly Johnson Ray, and were married 65 years before her passing in 2021. Burch attended Memphis State University (now University of Memphis) in the evenings, working for Rotary Lift during the day. Prior to receiving his Bachelor's degree in Business, he played baseball and basketball for the University, and you can even find his name listed in the Penny Hardaway Hall of Fame.

At Rotary Lift, Burch began his professional working career. He started on the loading dock at the age of sixteen, quickly working his way through the ranks. This should come as no surprise if you knew Burch and his strong work ethic. In 1970, Burch was promoted to Treasurer of Rotary Lift and moved his family to Madison, IN. In Madison, he served on the Board of Directors for the First National Bank of Madison and coached many kids' sports teams in his spare time. He helped raise money for a sports complex in Madison where a baseball field proudly bears his name. In 1984, he had reached the pinnacle with Rotary Lift as its President and CEO, where he remained until 1988. He had also served as the Vice President of Dover Corporation in New York. After Burch left Rotary Lift, he became a consultant for Danaher and then the Chief Financial Officer of Consulting Services Group, of Memphis, TN, after which he retired from corporate America.

Burch was a giant of his industry. He believed passing information on to the younger generations to be vital to continue the traditions of gentlemanly leadership and mentorship. It didn't matter if you were his competitor or not, he would always give anyone the best advice. During industry meetings, Burch, in his gentlemanly manner, could take a room of arguing competitors and calm the room by reminding all that they were there for the quality and safety of the industry. He was the perfect combination of leader and mentor.

After retirement, Burch and Jackie had full intentions on retiring to Florida, but in 1997, they moved to Arkansas, established their home in Maumelle, where they fell in love with the people and charm. They were also excited to be near their daughter and grandchildren, all while Burch still oversaw his businesses based in Indiana.

Retirement was short-lived as he was quickly recruited to assist in working towards changing Maumelle's form of government. That project was a grand success, with that form of government still in place today. He was asked to run for Mayor in 2000 and was the first elected Mayor of Maumelle serving from 2001-06. He then served as City Council Member from 2009-14. His public service never ended, as he continued to volunteer and help where needed and continued attending city council meetings to offer his advice and perspective. This time of public service was so important to him. As a City Council Member, Burch would fly in for meetings even when he was on vacation, flying back out afterwards to be with family.
In times of need, he would be quick to show up to Maumelle residents' homes to assist with issues, no matter how big or small and no matter where they stood on current issues. He was quick to give out his personal cell number so residents could call him for assistance.

Burch had many accomplishments as first elected Mayor and he was fully committed to the City of Maumelle and the people.

As Mayor, he had a hand in many projects that are seen around Maumelle today. He finished the Maumelle Diamond Center in 2002, he helped establish the Maumelle Middle School, and he secured federal funds to start the process for the third entrance to the City. He established the Sanitation Department, worked to get a sales tax passed to build a new police and fire station and provide extra revenue for public safety, along with separating the Maumelle Fire and Police departments. He joined North and South Odom Boulevards and finished the remodel of the Maumelle Community Center and Rolling Oaks Soccer Complex projects. He served as the Board President of Metroplan in 2006, and he served as Club President of the Lions Club from 2016-17. His proudest accomplishment was his development of an extensive senior wellness program that turned into the Maumelle Senior Center, now known as the Maumelle Center on the Lake, located on Jackie Johnson Cove in Maumelle.

In his spare time, Burch loved coaching his grandchildren's sports teams at Immaculate Heart of Mary, Maumelle City League, and Amateur Athletic Union (AAU). He would even help coach teams that did not include his grandchildren when needed, and there was no time that he was coaching less than two teams. He truly enjoyed being a volunteer physical education instructor at Immaculate Heart of Mary, where he put on the IHM Olympics.

Early on, Burch recognized the importance of establishing quality schools for Maumelle students. He immediately named a group of Maumelle residents to serve on a school task force to study Maumelle's needs and the available possibilities. As a result of his leadership and lots of hard work, Academics Plus Charter School, now Maumelle Charter, in Maumelle became the first open enrollment Charter School in the State of Arkansas. That was just the beginning. By 2004, Maumelle Middle School was open and plans for Maumelle High School were well underway.
He volunteered with Jackie at the Maumelle Center on the Lake and loved daily visits at the Center and getting to see all of the friendly faces. No matter where he went in Central Arkansas, he was greeted by, "Hey Mayor!"

Burch's number one dedication in life was to his wife, children, and grandchildren. Burch was a true family man. He loved traveling with Jackie, and they loved taking their grandchildren on trips and vacations as often as they could. The dedication and passion for his family was witnessed by everyone in the community. If he wasn't coaching them, he would be seen cheering them on from the stands. He never missed an event for his grandchildren or any sport activity. He was always, always there.

Burch's final job was at his last place of residence, Elm Croft, now Willow Grove of Maumelle, where he would always try to lend a hand to help others. His favorite assigned job was getting everyone lined up for meals. He was known by everyone as "The Mayor," and he waited for his cue to begin "Line'em up Mayor". The friends and staff of this assisted living facility were the very best to him, them knowing just how to make him feel at home while allowing him to continue serving people as he so loved to do. No matter where Burch was with family or friends, it was important to him that we return him to Willow Grove on time to do his job. Even at the age of 85, he was lining up the residents that had walkers or used wheelchairs to get ready for meals! Mentoring and leading never really ends for those who have the gift, as Burch did.

Burch loved his family, and his family loved him, and he will be greatly missed by them all. He impacted so many people during his life and was loved by absolutely everyone. In all aspects of his life, Burch was truly a great man!

Visitation will be held on Thursday, November 10, 2022 from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at Roller Chenal Funeral Home in Little Rock, AR. On Friday, November 11, 2022, there will be a visitation from 1:00 to 2:00 p.m., followed by a funeral service from 2:00 to 3:00 p.m. at the funeral home.

A graveside service will be held on Saturday, November 12, 2022, at 12:00 p.m. at Memphis Memory Gardens in Memphis, TN.

A Celebration of Service will take place in the City of Maumelle at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Maumelle Friends of the Animals, https://maumellefoa.org/donate/.

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