Claudia Candi (Johnson) Kozak

Claudia Candi Johnson Kozak, 79, passed away peacefully at home on May 13, 2026, after a period of declining health, with her beloved husband, Michael Kozak—the love of her life—by her side.

Candi was born on November 24, 1946, at St. Vrain Hospital in Longmont, Colorado, to Lawrence and Leona (Vaughn) Johnson. She was the youngest of three children and grew up alongside her two older sisters, Glenna Watts and Shirley Ann Horton, who held a special place in her heart. She attended school in Longmont and graduated from Longmont High School in 1964.

From a young age, Candi was known for her caring and compassionate nature. She lovingly helped care for her mother, even traveling by bus with her to attend cancer treatments. Sadly, her mother passed away the same year Candi graduated from high school. Despite this profound loss at a young age, Candi carried the fruits of the Spirit with her throughout her life—love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control—touching many lives with her warmth, generosity, and gentle spirit.

On May 28, 1981, she married Michael Frank Kozak at St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church in Longmont. Their love story began when Mike met Candi at Safeway Supermarket in Loveland, where she was working as a cashier. She later used the phone number from his check to invite him to lunch—their first date at the Village Inn in Loveland. Together, they built a life rooted in love, partnership, and devotion.

Candi had a lifelong love of learning. She returned to school as an adult, earning her Bachelor of Science degree from Colorado State University on May 11, 1991. She continued her education and received her Master of Arts degree from the University of Northern Colorado on August 7, 1993, reflecting her determination and passion for education.

Candi was a dedicated employee working for 20 years at Safeway in Boulder and Loveland, Colorado, followed by a 10-year career with RSVP in Cheyenne, Wyoming, and then as an Insurance Representative for State Farm in Fort Collins, Colorado, before retiring in 2005.

She is survived by her husband, two weeks shy of their 45th anniversary, Michael Kozak; her stepson, Donny Kozak, and daughter-in-law, Irma (Tovar) Kozak; her grandsons Ari Kozak and Kylo Kozak; her stepdaughter, Deena McBain; her granddaughter, Alexis Martin; and additional stepdaughters, Crystal Johnson and Trisha Towanda.

Candi is also survived by many beloved nieces, nephews, and extended family that she spoke of often; These include her sister Shirley’s children; niece Becky Selby and her husband Ron Selby, and their children Natasha Tiff-Jarvie and her husband Brint Jarvie, and Cheyenne Smith and her partner Mariah Sullivan; niece Sally Fairchild and Tom Ritenour, Sally’s daughter Lori Fairchild Barton and her children Wyatt and Kayla. Nephew Kenneth Horton and his wife Vicki, along with their children Rachel Duram and Neil Duram, their two children Megan and Riley; Luke Horton, his five kids Royce, Jett, Lincoln, Hudson, and Bently; Sara and James Bauer and their children Meesha, Cole, Sophia, and Isabella.

Additionally she is remembered by her niece and nephews of her sister Glenna’s family; nephew Marc Watts and wife Bettye Watts (deceased), niece Ruth Lee Watts (deceased), and her grandniece as well as good friend Kate, grandniece Erika, and grandnephew Brandon (deceased), nephew Larry Watts and his wife Debbie Watts and their two children, nephew Mike Watts and his wife Flor Watts and their three children.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Lawrence and Leona Johnson; her sisters and brothers-in-law, Shirley and Gene Horton, and Glenna and Ray Watts; her beloved grandson, Arlo Kozak. She will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved her.

Services will be held Saturday, May 30th, at 1 pm at St. Paul's Episcopal Church. 301 East Stuart St, Fort Collins, CO 80525.