April 19, 1939 – April 21, 2023
James Gordon Johnson was born on April 19, 1939, in Sutherland, Utah to Bert Clarence Johnson and Mary Nina Ahlstrom. He grew up in Delta, Utah, right in the middle of three sisters and two brothers, Della, Howard, Geniel, (Gordon), Evelyn, and Eloise.
One of his favorite childhood memories was when his dad would say, ‘If we finish everything we need to do, we’ll go fishin’.” They would load an old ‘49, ton and a half pickup truck with everything they needed, drive down by Richfield, and stay one or two nights and fish.
Gordon was a lifelong and devout member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. He served a mission to Great Britain from 1957 to 1959. He was out working in the fields when he got his mission call. Suddenly, he saw his mom “driving like hell” towards him with a cloud of dust behind the car. She stopped and yelled “I want to see where you’re going!” She made him open it right then and there in the field. Gordon devoted his life to service and would help anyone in need. He would say, “There is always something to do in the ward.” It was the many, many simple acts of service that he was well known for. He served in many Church capacities such as bishop, young men’s presidency, boy scouts, high councilman, and was a Temple ordinance worker for 17 years.
Gordon met and married his first sweetheart, Patsy Hansen on January 21, 1964, in the Manti, Utah Temple. She had graduated from BYU and came to Delta to teach school and the rest was history. Together they brought two children into their family, Wendy and Amy. Pat passed away after an illness in August of 1985.
Early the next year, in March of 1986, Gordon met Pamela Morley at a Single Adult dance. He was fond of saying that he would only marry someone with kids because he wanted a big family, and conveniently, Pam had four kids of her own, Marnell, Andrea, Kaylynn, and Mark. They were married on June 21, 1986, in the Provo, Utah Temple and became a family of eight, with six kids whose ages were 10 to 17 at the time. They lived in Provo, Utah for 10 years, then built their retirement home in Santaquin, Utah in 1997 where they are still considered newcomers even after 25 years.
Throughout his life, Gordon worked as a brick mason, concrete contractor, and an auto rebuilder. But more than anything, he was a friend to all who crossed his path. Gordon was an avid woodworker and woodcarver. He made tables, dressers, and other things for friends and family and carved many staffs and canes that can still be found as treasured possessions throughout Utah Valley and beyond.
After a short illness, lasting only 3 weeks, Gordon passed away peacefully at home surrounded by his family on April 21, 2023, which also was the 13th anniversary of his daughter, Kaylynn’s, death. He is survived by his wife, Pamela, daughters, Marni (Ric) Levett of Warwick, Rhode Island; Wendy Johnson (Shari Horrocks) of Salt Lake City, Utah, Andrea (Matt) Urban, of Santaquin, Utah; Amy (Russ) Ford of Salem, Utah; and Mark Wadley of Mapleton, Utah. He has 16 grandchildren, 10 great-grandchildren, with two more great-grandchildren on the way.
He was preceded in death by his parents, three siblings (Della, Howard, and Geniel) and daughter, Kaylynn Mitchell.
All who had the privilege to know Gordon Johnson knew the humble, spiritual, and witty man that he was. He was even teasing his hospice nurses and doctor until the end. Gordon will be greatly missed.
All services will be held at the LDS Chapel located at 860 North 350 West, Santaquin, Utah. Visitations will be held on Sunday, April 30, 2023, from 6 to 8 pm and Monday, May 1, 2023, from 9:30 to 10:45 am. The funeral services will be held on May 1, 2023, at 11 am.
Services will also be broadcast on YouTube. (Click Here To Watch)
Interment will be Santaquin City Cemetery. In lieu of flowers please donate to LDS Humanitarian Fund or your favorite charity.
Condolences can be offered at www.legacyfunerals.com.
