Men that have served as Bishop twice, bishops counselors 3 times, ward clerk, financial clerk, gospel doctrine teacher several times, and says the best job in the church was primary pianist; typically they call this type of man a prophet or an apostle, but he was our great example of a father & husband. Dad was one of a kind. There are great men in the world and in the church I think dad is one of those.
Growing up dad was a great example for each of us (kids). He taught us of God’s plan for us and always seemed to focus on the eternal nature of the family. He always treated our mother so tenderly, and they loved one another so much. Dad was never ashamed to kiss her in front of us, though it always made us kids sick and sometimes embarrassed mom too!
He had a great sense of humor and always shared his passion for playing the guitar (self-taught by-the-way). Dad had a clever song that he had written/rewritten for each of us kids: Mine was affectionately called “Watching Tommy Grow.”
Music was his second love in life. He performed in many ward choirs, stake/ward roadshows/talent shows, with other Christian gospel choirs, ward BBQ’s, in classes that he taught, for his USU department, for his grandkids, at campfires, funerals, baptisms, family reunions, in his car with the speakers blasting, and on many other occasions. He once told me that: “music opens my soul so that the spirit of god can talk to me.” Later when mom died, it was music that kept him going and allowed him to cope with her absence.
Dad was a great supporter of USU athletics. I remember for years and years he had bought season tickets to USU basketball. He would take turns taking us kids. I remembered how fun it was to have one on one time with him, and I can always remember he’d spoil us by taking us up at half-time to get some candy or popcorn. When the gymnastics program began at USU he would buy family passes to gymnastics every year, and our family would attend every meet. He became dear friends with the coaches and the team and later in life established a gymnastics scholarship in Thomas & Carol’s name.
Dad valued student academics greatly. I have worked with speech pathologists around the state, and when they hear my name, they always ask, if I’m related to their former department head. I have heard countless stories and tributes from his former students!
Dad & Mom worked hard all of their lives and loved to see their grandchildren and enjoyed spoiling them as all grandparents love to do. They enjoyed going to grandparents day at school or to soccer/basketball/football games as well. They loved to travel and always seem to bring back little gifts/trinkets/postcards, little things that really made the kids excited.
A few years after Mom passed away Dad found love again with Kathryn (Katie) Harris. Katie was a wonderful blessing in Dad’s life. They enjoyed traveling together all over the country and spending time with all of her and his children and grandchildren. On several occasions her sons have told me how much they love my Dad and think that he is an awesome guy. That is a great tribute that I have heard about Dad all of my life. After marrying Katie, their families increased from 5 and 6 kids to 11 kids and currently there are 19 grandchildren between the two families. We saw dad a little less frequently during that period, however it made us look forward even more when he would visit.
Dad has lived a great life, and truly touched everyone that he has come into contact with. We will miss him greatly, but we know that there is a grand Johnson reunion going on right now in the spirit world. He has returned to the arms of the Love of His Life, my wonderful and caring mother Carol Lue and that gives me sweet comfort and peace in my heart.
Thomas Sterling Johnson (Tommy)
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