Ring to return to deceased man’s family
By Allison Prtichard
Rocky River
Published April 15, 2009

A ring reunion is in the works.

Last week, West Life published an article about a man who found a 1977 class ring while fishing in Rocky River. The ring was thought to be deceased Clay Ward Johnson’s, based on initials engraved on the ring. Since then, a former business partner of Johnsons’ father has contacted Clay’s older brother, Mark Johnson, Jr.. West Life then contacted Johnson, who said he is touched to get the ring back.

“It’s bittersweet to say the least,” Johnson said. “It’d be nice to have something like that of my brother…It brings back memories,” he said.

“Life was much too short for him,” he said.

Johnson confirmed that his brother’s class ring matched up with the description. Plans are in the works to have the ring shipped to him.

Dan Spencer Sr., who read the original story, had called Johnson Saturday.

Spencer had worked with Johnson’s father at the Pearl Brookpark Carwash as business partners, Spencer said. Johnson’s father, Spencer and a third owner and their wives had all enjoyed themselves at Westwood Country Club together and been friends, Spencer said.

Alison Meihls Deanna, who went to school with Clay Johnson, said she remembers going water rafting down the river, and wonders if he lost the ring during their senior year escapades. She said she was a cheerleader and he was a basketball player in high school.

Johnson died while a freshman at Cornell’s engineering school, Spencer said. He had been killed by a drunk driver in an accident along with three others, he said.

When Johnson passed away in college, it was hard on his parents, Spencer said.  His mother brought him up  every time they talked, he said.

Most of Johnson’s family now lives in Rhode Island, according to Spencer.

Fairview Park resident Joe Stoyce found the ring near the Lakewood end of Rocky River March 26. It was partially covered in mud when he found it, he said.

The ring is engraved with what looks like the initials “CWJ,” Stoyce said. It has a red colored stone and was made by Jostens, he said.

Stoyce wanted to get in touch with the owner’s family because even though the ring is broken, “it’d be a nice remembrance,” Stoyce said.

Originally, Stoyce had contacted the alumni association and was told the only person with the initials CWJ who graduated that year was Clay Ward Johnson. Additionally, he contacted Jostens ring company, and was told the company doesn’t have records from that long ago, he said.