Eric Blaine Johnson

Click Here to View Tribute Video

As the afternoon hours passed time, loved ones gathered to be near to their beloved husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, uncle and best friend. At the stroke of 3:33 p.m. on Friday, October 22, 2010, Eric Blaine Johnson peacefully and willingly answered his Father in Heaven''s call to "Come home, my precious son."

Blaine was born on Thursday, December 23, 1926 in Logan, Cache County, Utah, the son of Eric A. and Melba I. Morgan Johnson. In early years, he attended Adams Elementary School and Logan High School.

He married Cleo Francis Norton on Wednesday, September 22, 1954, sealed for time and all eternity in the Logan LDS Temple.

Blaine graduated from Utah State University with a degree in Civil Engineering in 1949. He began working for the U.S. Geological Survey in Salt Lake City in June of 1949.

He served two years in the United States Army from September 1950-1952 at Ft. Riley, Kansas and Ft. Belvoir, Virginia during the Korean War. Then he returned to Salt Lake City in 1952 to resume working at the U.S. Geological Survey. In 1962, Blaine accepted the position as Water Commissioner of the Weber River and then moved to Ogden, Utah. Later, the Ogden River was included as part of his responsibilities. In March of 2000, Blaine received the Utah Water Users Association Annual Award for "Outstanding Contribution and Leadership in Water Resources for the State of Utah and the Utah Water Users Association." Blaine loved his work and certainly proved that he did by working 48 years as the Water Commissioner. He was known as the "H2O Man" as well as the "Tomato Man." His garden gave him joy and he shared the fruits of his labor with everyone.

Blaine and Cleo showed their love and respect for family ancestors by traveling all over Northern Utah to decorate their ancestor''s graves for 57 consecutive Memorial Days.

Blaine, you have taught us many things a€" love and dedication for family above all else, a true feeling of charity toward those in need, honesty, love of our country, patience, and more. Blaine loved to play games with his family, young and old, and those memories will continue with them forever. Thank you for all your never-ending smiles. You have taught us how to live and now you have taught us how to die a€" with courage, dignity, and faith.

He is survived by his wife of 56 years; two sons, Keven A. (Marilyn) Johnson, Mesa, AZ; Vincent B. (Tracy) Johnson, Ogden; one daughter, Leesa J. (Edward) Anderson, South Jordan; nine grandchildren, Taralee (Steve), Adam (Annette), Normandie (Burt), Britnee, Jadrian, Stephen, April, Justin, Travis; nine nieces and seven nephews.

The family wishes to thank IHC Hospice for their loving care. The nurses and staff felt it was a pleasure and a joy caring for Blaine at McKay-Dee Hospital. Special thanks to Nurse Erica.

Funeral services will be held Friday at 11 a.m. at the Shadow Valley Ward Chapel, 5191 Old Post Road in Ogden.

Family will visit with friends at Lindquist''s Ogden Mortuary, 3408 Washington Blvd., on Thursday from 6 to 8 p.m. and Friday at the Ward Chapel 9:45 to 10:45 a.m.

Interment, Lindquist''s Washington Heights Memorial Park, 4500 Washington Blvd.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the charity of your choice.