Kenneth Johnson

It is with the deepest heartache and sadness in which we announce the passing of Kenneth LaVar Johnson at the age of 66.

Ken was born November 11, 1955, in Tooele, Utah to Kay Lamond Johnson and Norma Geane Hansen Johnson. He died June 25, 2022, at the University of Utah Hospital after a valiant nineteen-year struggle with Multiple Myeloma and Gillian Barre’ Syndrome.

Ken loved to tell the tales of his childhood going rock hounding with his parents and siblings in all parts of Utah, Idaho, Wyoming, and New Mexico.

Ken loved working on his crafts, gardening, woodworking, and any other project he could do with his family. He loved to go camping and fishing with family and friends and would take every opportunity to visit CC Ponds, Otter Creek, Fish Lake, Yellow Pine, or any campsite he would hear about.

Although Ken’s first marriage would end in divorce, they were able to welcome Honey Lynn in 1978 and Dustin D. in 1982.

For several years, Ken managed Kings Chicken in Tooele then both Taco Times in Tooele and American Fork. Ken loved taking Honey to work with him and holding discount days to honor her first then second birthdays. Ken moved on to work for the Tooele Army Depot before Dustin arrived.

In May 1986, Ken went on a blind date and just shy of two weeks later he asked Rebecca Brown to marry him; that September, Ken and Rebecca were married and in June of 1989, Ken and Rebecca welcomed Brandy Lee into their family.

During his thirty-three civil service years with Tooele Army Depot in Tooele, and Nellis Air Force Base in Las Vegas, Ken made many friends that would grow to respect him, for his knowledge, his work ethic, his friendship, and probably most of all his strength to continue to battle his cancer while continuing to work.

Ken was presented with numerous recognitions and awards, but the one he seemed to honor the most was the Suggester of the Year for the Army in which he and Rebecca flew to the Pentagon in Washington, DC to receive the award from MG Harry Karegeannes and the Secretary of Defense.

Ken felt his life was spent at doctor’s offices, hospitals, and physical therapy, and his body was ravished by the cancer. Through it all, Ken’s fighting spirit inspired him to volunteer for every research study his doctors would allow him in order to help with future cancer studies. With his passing, he volunteered for one last study, the donation of his eyes to the Moran Eye Center to further the cause of sight preservation.

Ken is preceded in death by his father, Kay Johnson and his father and mother-in-law, Leon and Roxella Brown.

Ken is survived by the love of his life, Rebecca of 35½ years; his mother, Norma Johnson; his sister, Karen (Larry) Hinkle; his two brothers, Brent Johnson, and Randy Johnson; his brother-in-law, Jess (DeAnn)Brown; his daughter, Honey (Sean) Brisbin; his son, Dustin (Stacy) Johnson; and Daughter, Brandy (Robbie) Bowman. His Grandchildren, Destinee (Arik) Hansen, Jared Brisbin, Alyssa Rasmussen, Braden Brisbin, Kylie Johnson, and Jacob Johnson. Along with his Great-Grandson, Karter Hansen. Ken also has many wonderful nieces and nephews.

A funeral will be held Saturday, July 9, 2022, at Tate Mortuary, 110 S. Main in Tooele, Utah,
With a family visitation from 9:30 am - 10:45 am. A graveside Service will follow at 11:00 am at the Tooele City Cemetery, 361 S. 100 E. in Tooele, Utah

A light luncheon will be provided after the service at the LDS - Grantsville Ward, 550 E. Durfee, Grantsville, Utah and a Celebration of Ken’s Life will be held that evening at the Johnson Residence.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Ken’s memory to the Huntsman Cancer Institute or the American Cancer Society.

The family wishes to thank the many doctors, nurses, therapists and staff at the Huntsman Cancer Institute, the University of Utah Hospital, the Neilsen Rehabilitation Hospital and the entire Clover Meadows Subdivision for their gracious love and support!

Arrangements entrusted to Tate Mortuary.

Condolences may be shared, and a live stream of the service will be available at the following link: https://my.gather.app/remember/kenneth-johnson-jun-2022