Clifton Johnsen broke into radio in its early years, joining Eureka station KIEM as an announcer in 1933, when the station went on the air from studios in the opulent Vance Hotel. His work there included play-by-play broadcasts from Eureka High School’s Albee Stadium.
Johnsen’s move to the Oakland Tribune station KLX brought with it a nickname: “Cactus Jack”, which Johnsen used during country-western broadcasts on KLX and later on San Jose’s KEEN.
Johnsen also handled sports play-by-play throughout his career, calling the first season of San Francisco 49ers games.
Clifton Johnsen died in 1968 at age 70.