John Robert Clarkson

On March 19, 2018, John Robert Clarkson slipped the bonds of his earthly body and entered joyously into the heavenly presence of his Maker. His memorial service will be held at Calvary Baptist Church on Thursday, March 22. The family will receive friends beginning at 10:30 am and the memorial service will begin at 12:00 pm. Calvary Baptist Church is located at 10301 Harwood Lane Charlotte, NC 28214. After the memorial service, friends are invited to join the family at the graveside located at Forest Lawn Cemetery, 4601 Freedom Drive Charlotte, NC 28208.

John Robert Clarkson was preceded in death by his beloved grandson Maxwell Clarkson. He was born to Frank and Jewell Clarkson on February 16, 1938 and grew up with his siblings, Pat, Judy and Clifford in Charlotte, NC. He is survived by his loving and devoted wife, Sybil Bailey Clarkson; his sons, John Bradley Clarkson, David Bryce Clarkson, and Phillip Dayle Clarkson; his daughters-in-law, Jessi Marsden Clarkson, Cathie Meyst Clarkson and Marta Leib Clarkson; and his glorious brood of rowdy grandchildren, Bailey, Jasmine, Ava, Bryce, Tyler, Sary, Luke and Sam.

Johnny graduated from Central High School and joined the United States Air Force. His life changed forever and for the better when he married his sweetheart, Sybil Ann Bailey, on November 3, 1961. He spent most of his life in Charlotte, NC, where he and Sybil built the foundations of a strong home. They attended Thrift Baptist Church and Calvary Baptist Church.

Johnny was a well-known and widely-sought-after musician, songwriter and producer. He built his musical legacy by playing with influential musicians in many well-known regional bands. He discovered his true calling when he began focusing on gospel music in the 1970s. He played with several gospel quartets. When he played guitar, his nuanced and masterfully-crafted stylings always got heads bobbing, hands clapping, and feet dancing. When he sang the old gospel songs his hopeful and soulful voice would often hush the room.

In the 70’s and 80’s, most churches hadn’t yet embraced guitars and drums as an appropriate expression of corporate worship, so Johnny spent many years joyfully creating music in his home studio with his family and friends. In the 90’s he joined the worship band at Calvary Baptist Church where he served faithfully for many years. His constant desire to write and record music compelled him to embrace advancements in recording studio technology. He orchestrated arrangements for himself and for others in the area.

One of his favorite events was the annual Bailey family beach trip, where cottages full of family and friends would gather to connect and reminisce. This tradition was honored for over sixty years. One night of beach week was always devoted to prayer, encouragement, and worship. Johnny would pull out his guitar as the kids, nieces, and nephews would gather ‘round and dance and singing and join the adults in worship.

The truth in those old gospel songs always reminded our family of the most important things. Those moments were the ones he reflected on the most as his health began to fade. His kids, grandkids and others that experienced those powerful family worship times have taken up his mantle and are faithfully leading worship in their churches today to share the life-changing gospel of Jesus.

Johnny was a proud patriot that loved and served his country in the United States Air Force. He was the crew chief in his Air Force squadron that rebuilt F-105 fighter jet engines. These years shaped his views, but also gave him professional training and certification he later used in his career.

Johnny was a true Renaissance man with mechanical aptitude and artistic vision. He was a creator and maker. He ripped out and rebuilt the engines on almost every family car we owned. He built his workshop from the ground up and re-roofed and installed carpet in his home.He would spend weekends in his workshop on woodworking projects. He taught himself how to make jewelry, learning the craft of grinding and polishing gemstones. He built custom wax molds for rings, necklaces and pendants and melted silver to pour into those molds. He would travel to obscure places, crawling around in fields looking for gemstones to create these treasures. He always gave the jewelry he made to the people he loved.

He built giant snow igloos and sand castles. Christmas was always a production. He took his friends fishing on his boat. He loved to eat at the fish camp and hated hamburgers. He taught his sons how to enjoy the sublime experience of salted peanuts in a frosted cold Pepsi bottle and the right way to make and eat a fried bologna sandwich. Alongside his kids, he learned how to tie fly fishing lures. Together, they built pinewood derby racers and Estes model rockets. When the kids got older, he taught them to find business sponsors to build and race soap-box derby cars. He coached his kids in baseball and attended all their sporting events, cheering on his boys and yelling at the refs. He led the Royal Ambassador program at Thrift Baptist Church and every year took the troop away to King’s Mountain. He would lead legendary “snipe” hunts with the campers. Everyone would gather around the fire for his staged midnight appearance as the crazed “hatchet man.” His kids knew they were loved because he invested everything he had into them.

His musical and spiritual legacy flows through his children and grandchildren. Sybil loved Johnny because he was a wonderful husband and father for fifty-six years. He suffered much, made mistakes, and lived through struggles and times of darkness. However, his faith remained strong and the gospel he sang about compelled him towards the the grace and forgiveness of God. The joy of the Lord was never more evident than in his last days, spent in quiet peace and in the comfort and embrace of the family that loved him so dearly. In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting that donations be sent to Calvary Baptist Church to further the work of the gospel. Calvary Baptist Church: 10301 Harwood Lane Charlotte, NC 28214