Hugh Johnson

Hugh F. Johnson, Jr.

August 7, 1932 ~ December 2, 2017

Congratulations Sailor!  Your tour is up.  It’s time to step off this ship of life and into the waiting loving arms of a beautiful blonde girl.

On December 2, 2017 Hugh F. Johnson Jr. passed away peacefully and into the arms of his beloved Bonnie with his family by his side.

Dad was born August 7, 1932 in Deepwater, Missouri to Hugh F. Johnson Sr. and Wilda Mae Queen Johnson.  He was the oldest of four children.  He grew up in Southern California and graduated from Compton High school in 1949.

At the age of 17 he joined the United States Navy.  He served in Korea and Adak, Alaska during the Korean War and was very proud to be a veteran. Following his Navy service, Dad went to work for the Federal Aviation Administration as an air traffic controller.  He worked at LA Center in California, Columbus, New Mexico, and Malad, Idaho before transferring to Hill Air Force Base in Ogden, Utah.

While at a movie in Malad, he encountered a young girl who just couldn’t seem to stop talking.  Three weeks later Bonnie Williams climbed out her bedroom window and became Mrs. Hugh F. Johnson Jr.  From their secret little trip to Elko Nevada came two children, Jill Johnson, Ogden, UT; and Hugh F. (Kim) Johnson III, Enfield, CT.

At the Hill Field RAPCON dad received many awards and commendations, and made many lifelong friends, many of which, he met for coffee every Wednesday morning. Following his retirement from the FAA he worked for Mountain West Savings and Loan in the Insurance division.  Dad retired to take care of mom as her health declined.  From the day he retired, he never left moms side. Dad was a smart man and a voracious reader.  He learned everything he could about diabetes and he schooled many a young doctor in Bonnie’s care.

Hugh was most proud of his family and the service to his country.  He never missed a little league game, or a ski race, or a daddy daughter function.  Skiing was our family’s bond for many years.  Dad loved Snow Basin.  Later in life he loved golf and college football (Dad was a Utah fan, Mom was a BYU fan but we loved her anyway).

Dad is survived by his two children, brothers, Tom (Sandy), Gary (Barbara), and John (Dana), and sisters-in-law, Rose Lee Evans and Verleen Williams; brother-in-law, E. Wynn John; and many nieces and nephews.

To the morning and Wednesday coffee crews, thank you for your friendship with our father, it’s what kept him getting up in the morning after mom passed.

Cancer is an ugly disease; in lieu of flowers, please donate to the Huntsman Cancer Institute, or your favorite cancer research organization and think of dad.

Graveside service will be held on Thursday, December 7, 2017 at 2 p.m. at Lindquist’s Washington Heights Memorial Park, 4500 Washington Blvd. Friends may visit with family on Wednesday from 6 to 8 p.m. at Lindquist’s Ogden Mortuary, 3408 Washington Blvd.