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Richard A. “Doc” Johnson September 9, 1943 - August 13, 2020

Dr. Richard A Johnson passed away unexpectedly at his home in Spanish Fork, Utah, on August 13, 2020.

Richard was born September 9, 1943, to Ronald Arnie Johnson and Loa C. McKell Johnson. He was educated in Spanish Fork schools and graduated from Spanish Fork High School in 1961. He attended University of Utah, 1961-62. He also attended Brigham Young University, 1962-65. He graduated from Loyola University Dental School, Chicago, Illinois, in 1969, where he was Student Body President his senior year, and Gold Medallion winner for his graduating class.

He joined the U.S Army Dental Corps in July of 1969, and took a one-year dental internship at Brooke Army General Hospital, Fort Sam Houston, Texas. Next, he was assigned to Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, and later transferred to the Republic of Vietnam for a brief tour. He completed his military obligation at Tooele Army Depot in 1972. He recommissioned in the Army Reserve in 1983, and was assigned to the 143rd Medical Detachment at Fort Douglas, Utah. He retired in 2003, with the rank of Lt. Colonel.

Richard purchased the dental practice of Dr. Lars Peterson in 1972 and maintained a private dental practice in Spanish Fork until 1991. In 1991, Richard accepted a position with the Utah Department of Corrections as Dental Director for the Department of Corrections, retiring in 2003. Richard also served as the Dental Director at the Utah County Jail on a part- time basis.

Richard married the former Nancy Raskie of Phillips, Wisconsin, in 1968 (later divorced) and they raised four children. He married Anna Lee Watts Taylor on April 9, 1992. Richard and Anna Lee enjoyed 28 wonderful years of marriage, until his passing.

Richard was very civic minded and loved serving his community and fellow citizens. He served as Director of the Jaycees, President of the Rotary Club, President of the Diamond Fork Riding Club, as well as Manager of the Utah State Junior Livestock Show. He also loved coaching his sons in Little League baseball and football. Richard served three terms on the Nebo School District Board of Education, as well as one term as a Utah County Commissioner. His final service was that as Commander of American Legion Post 68. Richard and Anna Lee served as Grand Marshalls of the Spanish Fork Fiesta Days in 2019.

Richard was an active member in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and served in many callings. He and Anna Lee faithfully served as missionaries in Guatemala, where he was able to provide dental care to many individuals. Richard had a great testimony of the Gospel and a deep faith in God and eternal families.

Richard loved spending time with Anna Lee golfing, four wheeling, camping, horse riding and driving the “red jeep” around town. You very seldom saw one without the other. Vacationing was one of his favorite pastimes and he and Anna Lee enjoyed traveling with their very close-knit group of friends.

Richard supported his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren in any of their endeavors.  He was present at every stock show, ballgame, dance recital, band recital, and graduation events. Richard loved making memories with family, friends, and loved ones.

Richard is survived by his loving wife, Anna Lee, and their six children: Angela Olsen (Matt), Spanish Fork, Utah; Jared Taylor, Dickinson, North Dakota; Matt Johnson (Christine), Spanish Fork, Utah; Renerah Merett (Dustin), Moab, Utah; Jared Johnson, Spotslyvania, Virginia; Danielle Baker (Phil) Tampa, Florida; 12 grandchildren, 4 great-grandchildren; and a sister, Janice Hayhurst (Ed), Haines, Oregon.  He was proceeded in death by his parents; and his in-laws, Don and Vera Watts, formerly of Springville, Utah; a brother-in-law, Richard Watts, formerly of Alpine, Utah; and a sister-in-law, Anna Joy Watts, formerly of Bountiful, Utah.

A viewing will be held on Monday, August 17, 2020, from 6-8 p.m. at Walker Funeral Home, 187 South Main Street, Spanish Fork, Utah. Graveside services will be held on Tuesday, August 18, 2020, at 10 a.m. at the Spanish Fork City Cemetery, with Military Honors accorded. Please bring a chair and an umbrella. It’s going to be hot!

 

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Visitation

6-8 p.m.
Monday, August 17, 2020
Walker Funeral Home
187 South Main Street
Spanish Fork, Utah 84660
Map

Graveside Services

10:00 a.m.
Tuesday, August 18, 2020
Spanish Fork City Cemetery
420 South 400 East
Spanish Fork, Utah 84660
Map

Condolences(16)

  1. REPLY
    Marlene Nielsen Harkness says
    August 15, 2020 at 4:36 pm

    Anna Lee, I am so sorry to read about Richard. He would alway say hello and how are you and a big hug. You made such a cute couple. I am not feeling well so I will not be to the viewing or funeral. I leave my love and prayers to you. God be with you.

  2. REPLY
    Debbie says
    August 15, 2020 at 6:23 pm

    To the Johnson Family… So sorry for your loss ????… Thoughts and prayers are with all of you????. Earths loss is now Heavens gain- May he Rest In Peace.

  3. REPLY
    Betsy Lynn Yerkes says
    August 15, 2020 at 8:07 pm

    Dear Johnson family, I am so sorry for your unexpected loss. Doc made such a huge impact in my dental career. I loved my time working with him and still use his advise on a daily basis. I wish I could be there to see the beautiful family he raised. Just know that you all are in my thoughts. May you rest in peace Doc!

  4. REPLY
    Jerald & Lorene Swenson says
    August 16, 2020 at 11:58 pm

    We are saddened by your unexpected loss–indeed a loss for all of us who benefited from his kindness, humor, service and goodness. He leaves an earthly void! Anna Lee, may you and your family find peace and comfort in happy memories, in the love and good will of others and in the truths of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. We send our love and prayers to you all.

  5. REPLY
    Dean Johnson says
    August 17, 2020 at 4:15 pm

    Sondra and I are so sorry to hear of the death of my cousin Richard. Anna Lee we want to express our sorrow for you and all your family for your loss. And to Janice for the loss of her brother. I’m sure that I can speak for all of the extended family of Anthon Parley Johnson, our grandfather, as to our shock and sadness at Richards passing. I look forward to the time when we will meet again and revisit the memories we had with Richard in this life. May God bless and comfort Richard’s surviving family. Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you at this time. Our current situation may prevent us from attending the viewing and the service.

  6. REPLY
    Owen and Lynne Harrison says
    August 17, 2020 at 6:20 pm

    Owen and I are so sorry for your loss. He will be greatly missed. Please understand due to the Covid-19 we will not be attending. Give our love to the family. Know you are all in our prayers at this time.

  7. REPLY
    Connie & Ron says
    August 18, 2020 at 5:55 am

    Anna Lee, no one can truly know what you are experiencing in this time of loss. Please accept our condolences and know that you are in our thoughts. May your warm memories of Doc comfort you and your family at this time. Sending hugs, Connie and Ron Carrasco

  8. REPLY
    Sally Nelson says
    August 18, 2020 at 8:23 pm

    I remember the good old days when our families used to go camping and fishing together. I always called the Johnson men “Uncles” even though they were my dad’s cousins. Richard was a little older than me but we still enjoyed fishing and camping together especially at Fish Lake when we would eat the fish and Uncle Ted’s sourdough bread. I send my sympathies to all the Johnson family and am thinking of all of you fondly.
    Love, Sally Thomas Nelson

  9. REPLY
    Steven Paxton says
    August 19, 2020 at 3:05 am

    Anna Lee sorry we were not able to visit with you at the funeral. It was a very nice tribute to Rich.. He was such a wonderful person and cherished friend. We had some great military experiences together, I have some military pictures of Rich’s military activities you may want to have. I can send them to you if you could let me know what your Email address is.

  10. REPLY
    Steve and LaVee Wiscombe says
    August 19, 2020 at 5:53 pm

    Anna Lee, Lavee and I are so sorry for your loss. Doc was truly one of the good guys, a true friend and a man of many talents. There was surely a great reunion on the other side as he was greeted there by those who went before him. His love of life, his positive outlook and his spirit of adventure made him so fun to be around. We fished, we camped, we hunted, we rode horses and we laughed. Those memories are priceless. Our prayers are with you and we are so happy you shared so many good years with such a good man.

  11. REPLY
    Marlan & Patty Roper says
    August 19, 2020 at 11:35 pm

    Patty and I are in a deep state of remorse for the sudden passing of Richard. Our sincere condolences to you, Anna Lee, and your family. We so enjoyed the get togethers when you came to St.George and our class reunions. Thank you for the memories and good times that we had. We so enjoyed the video presentation of Richard with the obituary. We were awed by all of his accomplishments. He will be greatly missed.

  12. REPLY
    Joyce Adams says
    August 20, 2020 at 11:50 pm

    For Danielle and your family: what a beautiful tribute to a man who was a truly wonderful person. I never met him, but his story has inspired me to do more with my life. I am sure he will be missed. I am sorry for your sadness.

  13. REPLY
    Jode Francis Fitzgerald says
    August 24, 2020 at 12:33 am

    Doctor J, what a very unique person. He had his hands full with twelve assistants that rarely got along. He shared his jokes well, was Stern when he needed to be.

    His heart was full of care. We had a prisoner that was doing life he was quite old when I would with Doc. J. Every time this one guy came in he gave him a coke cola, even knowing it was against policy. Enjoyed my time working with him and giving me the opportunity to Broaden my career.
    R.I.P.

  14. REPLY
    Lana Hiskey says
    August 27, 2020 at 8:41 pm

    Ann & Rod Dart family donated $170 to the Nebo Education Foundation in Richard Johnson’s memory. What a wonderful man.

  15. REPLY
    Lana Hiskey says
    August 27, 2020 at 8:42 pm

    Bruce & Lana Hiskey donated to the Nebo Education Foundation in memory of Dr. Richard Johnson. He was an advocate for education and was so supportive of our community. You will be missed.

    • REPLY
      Sally C. Randall says
      October 6, 2020 at 2:26 am

      Anna Lee,

      OMGoodness! I was perusing around “my old stomping grounds,” and stumbled upon Richard’s obituary! I am so sorry for your loss! However, having watched the beautiful memory video, of his and your life together, I can see that you both, “Lived life to its fullest!!!”

      You have no idea how much I have missed you and Richard, since having moved to Michigan. The two of you are, and always will be, a HUGE part of the really wonderful memories I have of my 9 years working for the Utah County Sheriff’s Office and Jail!

      I really do hope and pray, that you get my message! I would absolutely love to reconnect with you, even if it’s via email! Please know that I love and cherish, absolutely everything about you, both!!! Take care and God bless!!!!!

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