Cleveland Johnson was born October 17, 1947 in Panama. He was the son of Estefania and Leonardo Johnson Sr. He departed this earthly life to enter the spiritual life on Thursday, May 9, 2024.

Cleve was an athlete who believed the body was ones temple. He always honored that thought by living a very healthy lifestyle. He started out his training as a young boy in the same boxing gym in Panama as his contemporary Roberto Duran. He became a professional middleweight boxer and won the Golden Gloves Middleweight Championship in Panama in 1967. Because his mother was against a boxing career, he decided to become a trainer and joined the military.

Cleve was very proud of being a veteran. It gave him the opportunity to continue his development of discipline, focus and stoicism. In 1968 he became a member of the Special Forces of the Republic of Panama. In 1968 he moved to New York and in 1969 was drafted into the United States Army. He was stationed in Germany. In Germany he was a Drill Sergeant, Physical Fitness Instructor and finally was recruited into an army band where he played the bongos throughout Europe. In 1971 he was discharged from the army, and he took a job with the U.S. Postal Service which became his secured income. But his passion was in training both amateurs and professional athletes. In 1998 he started training professional boxers at Gleason's gym in Brooklyn, NY. He also found time to be a coach for the Special Olympics and run a youth program at the McBurney Y in Manhattan.

Cleveland was a wonderful husband and father. He gave unconditional love and support to his family and sons. He was predeceased by his parents, Estefania and Leonardo Johnson Sr., his brothers, Leonardo Jr, Winston, and his sisters Delfina and Sona. Those who are left to cherish his precious memory are his wife, Jan Juracek-Johnson, his sons, David Johnson, Cleveland Johnson Jr and his former wife, Hyacinth Johnson. Cleveland was deeply loved, and he will be deeply missed.

In lieu of flowers please make donations to Disabled American Veterans. https://ww.da.org/

A funeral service will be held Saturday July 20, 2024 at 1:00 P.M. at the First Church of Christ Congregational, 25 Cross Hwy, Redding Center, CT. Military honors will be immediately following, outside at the church.

Munson Lovetere Funeral Home assisted the family with the arrangements. To leave an online condolence please visit www.munsonloveterefuneralhome.com

Disabled American Veterans
3725 Alexandria Pike, Cold Spring KY 41076
Web: https://www.dav.org/