Vernard Johnson

1908-2011

Vernard Johnson passed away peacefully June 7, 2011 in Salt Lake City, Utah—two months short of his 103rd birthday. Vern was born August 9, 1908 in Mesa, Arizona to Benjamin Farland Johnson, Jr. and Caroline Jones Johnson. He was the fourth of seven children. Shortly after Vernard was born, the family moved from Arizona to Northern California where he spent his growing up years. He attended New York University and worked on Wall Street during the Stock Market Crash of 1929. He returned to California and married Jane Hall, and they had one daughter, Joyce. After divorcing, he married Dorothy Margaret Close, and they had one son, Richard (who died at childbirth) and two daughters, Carolyn and Elizabeth. They resided in Tracy, California where Vern worked in the meat-cutting and grocery business. He retired at the age of seventy, and after living in Tracy for forty-three years, he and Dorothy moved to Salt Lake City, Utah in 1985. They celebrated their 50th Wedding Anniversary on January 16, 1988. As an active, faithful member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Vern served as Bishop of the Tracy Ward, High Counselor in the Manteca Stake, and an ordinance worker with his wife in the Oakland Temple. He loved his church service and was proud of this family heritage, which dated back to the early church organization. In Utah he became a member of Sons of Utah Pioneers and served on the Board of Directors. Vernard is survived by daughters Joyce Arnold and Carolyn Sorensen (Keith), eleven grandchildren, thirty-four great-grandchildren, sister Marion Soverign, and a large extended family. He was preceded in death by his wife Dorothy, his parents, son Richard, daughter Elizabeth Jackson, son-in-law Jerry Jackson, and five siblings. Vern was loved by all who knew him. His kind, gentle spirit will be greatly missed. The family would like to thank his caregivers, Lisa and Ann; family, friends, and all others who extended friendship and care. Funeral services will be held Monday, June 20th, 2011, at 12:00 Noon at Wasatch Lawn Mortuary, 3401 South Highland Drive, Salt Lake City, Utah. Family and friends may visit Sunday, June 19th, 2011 from 6:00-8:00 PM at Wasatch Lawn Mortuary and Monday, June 20, 2011 at the mortuary from 11:00-11:45 AM.