Clem Mathis: What Happened To Johnny Mathis’ Father?

Clem Mathis is the father of Johnny Mathis born John Royce Mathis. Clem’s son Johnny is an American singer of popular music. He is considered the third best-selling artist of the 20th century, selling 360 million records worldwide. He has received the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award and has been inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame for three recordings.

Clem Mathis: Bio Summary

Who Was Johnny Mathis’ Father, Clem Mathis?

Clem Mathis is famous for being the father of Johnny Mathis. Clem who is also known as Clemmie Lorenzo “Clem” Mathis Sr. is said to have been born on 12 September 1909 in Upshur County, Texas, USA. John Mathis and Margaret “Maggie” (Pierce) Mathis are the names of his parents. He was not the only child of his parents.

Clem Mathis was the brother of Daisy Mathis, Dewey Mathis, Minnie Mathis, and Oscar Leo Mathis. Clem worked in vaudeville as a singer and pianist. He met and married Mildred Boyd, a domestic cook. He made Mildred his wife officially on 18 August 1927, in Upshur, Texas, United States. He and Mildred gave birth to seven children.

Their children are Clem L. Mathis, Jr., Ralph Mathis, Marguerite McMillian, Johnny Mathis (born John Royce Mathis), Michael Mathis, Elizabeth Mathis, and Linda Mathis. Most of their children stayed away from the spotlight so much is unknown about them. The family moved to San Francisco and settled on 32nd Avenue in the Richmond District.

The fourth of Clem Mathis and Mildred Boyd’s seven children, Johnny Mathis who was born in Gilmer, Texas, U.S. said he has “no memories” of his childhood in Texas. He said: “When I was about four we moved to San Francisco. I was in the middle of seven brothers and sisters; three girls and four boys.” Speaking of how the siblings were raised Johnny said:

“Most of my older brothers and sisters got the blame for everything and the little ones had a free ride. We loved each other but fought like cats and dogs. There were no real problems, though – we were pretty civilized. We didn’t have any outsize personalities; most of my brothers and sisters are quiet types.”

ALSO, READ: Mildred Boyd: Where Is Johnny Mathis’ Mother Now?

According to Johnny Mathis, both Clem Mathis and Mildred Boyd were “domestic workers” who worked as professional cooks and cooked extraordinary things. Johnny pursued a career in the music industry. He is a singer. He inherited his musical talents from his father Clem. Johnny revealed that he spent most of his childhood with his father Clem.

Johnny said his father was a singer and played the piano and he was fascinated with him. He admitted that his “brothers and sisters weren’t that interested in music.” Clem encouraged his son Johnny’s musical talents. Johnny learned songs and routines from his father. Johnny sang in church choirs and choirs at school.

Johnny took music lessons and his supportive father Clem taught him his first song. Johnny’s first song was “My Blue Heaven”. Clem took Johnny “fishing, hunting – a lot of outdoor activities, free activities; that was the main thing, it didn’t cost anything.” Johnny credits his mother Mildred for teaching him to cook.

Johnny says his father Clem taught him “a lot of things, mostly how to sing.” Clem Mathis and Mildred Boyd ran their son Johnny’s fan club. He said: “My mum and dad were presidents of my fan club. You had to have someone who knew you to answer the questions people asked. They loved doing it.”

“They’d sit up all night long, writing in longhand, answering these crazy people who’d ask all sorts of crazy questions about their son, including some adoring love letters. I think they were shocked at some of the things people wrote.”

What Happened To Johnny Mathis’ Father?

Clem Mathis died on 9 March 1974, in Santa Ynez, Santa Barbara, California, United States. The cause of his death is unknown. He is buried at Cypress Lawn Memorial Park, Colma, San Mateo County, California, United States. There isn’t much information about his death.