Obituary of Douglas Edwin Johnson

Douglas Edwin Johnson of American Fork passed away peacefully at his home on March 16, 2015. He had just celebrated his 89th birthday. He was born in Union, Utah on March 5, 1926, to Henry Edwin and Almira Beckstead Johnson. He was the youngest of eight children and the only son. Doug spent his early years in Sandy. He graduated from Jordan High School in 1944. He volunteered for the Army Air Corp. When the war was over Doug returned to Utah and attended the University of Utah. He was active in the ROTC program and was commissioned as a 2nd lieutenant in 1950. He received his bachelor’s degree with a composite major in history, economics, and sociology in June of 1951. While attending the U of U he met and fell in love with a beautiful young coed, Ruth Monson. They were married on August 25, 1949 in the Salt Lake Temple. After graduation, Doug was stationed at Fort Sill, Oklahoma for 3 years. In 1954 Doug and Ruth returned to Utah. Doug enrolled at BYU to begin his Master’s degree. He taught history at Spanish Fork High School and history for one year at BY High Academy as a graduate assistant. He then taught American History, Utah History, Geography, and English at American Fork Junior High until his retirement in 1991. Doug continued his military affiliation with the Army Reserve and retired as a Major. In Doug’s 43 years of involvement with Barbershop Quartet singing and the Utah Valley Skyline Chorus, he blessed the lives of many through his music. He has always been hard working and industrious. He ran for Utah State Senate in the 1970's. He served as an ordinance worker at the Mt. Timpanogos temple for eight years. Doug is survived by his beloved wife Ruth and his children Karen (Mark) Tuttle, Lynette (Les) Lovell, David (Karen) Johnson, Boyd (Jina) Johnson, Mark (Evie) Johnson, Gordon (Shauna) Johnson, and Greg (Jana) Johnson. He also has 26 grandchildren and 31 great-grandchildren. A viewing will be held Friday, March 20, 2015 from 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. at Anderson Mortuary (49 East 100 North, American Fork) and at 9:30 - 10:45 a.m. on Saturday, March 21, 2015 at the American Fork 14th ward building (1100 East 400 North ). Funeral services will begin at 11:00 a.m. following the viewing. Interment will be in the Pleasant Grove Cemetery.