Richard “Dick” Cottrell Johnson

Richard “Dick” Cottrell Johnson passed away at the Beehive Home in Riverton, Utah after a brief illness on November 20, 2020.
He was born on July 16, 1928, to Jennie Nielsen Cottrell Johnson and Welby Knight Johnson. He was the oldest of four sons: Donald K. Johnson, George R. Johnson and Steven D. Johnson. On September 15, 1951, he married Luana Ruth Miller in the Salt Lake Temple. He was the proud father of seven children Gayle (William) Soule, Lynn (Sue) Johnson, David (Cheryl) Johnson, Leslie (Jeff) Zidek, Dale (Joanie) Johnson, Jennie (Cary) Mortensen and Laurel (Steven) Davis. Dick has 38 grandchildren and 38 great-grandchildren, with five more expected next year. He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Luana and his brother Don.
Early in his childhood, Dick was diagnosed with a hearing loss. He gave credit to his mother, and grandmother Sophronia Forsberg, for recognizing this limitation and enrolling him in a school where he received speech therapy and learned to read lips. Characteristically, he saw his hearing loss as a blessing. As a consequence of having to change schools often, Dick developed the ability to make new friends quickly; throughout his life he continued to make and keep good friends. He also repeated a grade in elementary school; this gave him the advantage of being the oldest boy in his class and therefore, the biggest and fastest runner, which was important to him. In later life, Dick said his hearing loss helped him to remain humble.
He graduated from South High School in Salt Lake City. From January 1948, through December 1950, Dick served a mission to Northern California for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  He later earned a two-year business degree.
When Dick returned from his mission, one of his friends arranged a New Year’s Eve blind date with Luana Miller. They went to the Avalon Dance Hall and had a good time. Dick was a good dancer and they enjoyed dancing, movies and outings with his family to their cabin in Millcreek Canyon. Dick and Luana were married the following September.
Dick was employed by the United States Postal Service in various capacities beginning in January 1951; he retired after 42 years of service. He also worked part-time jobs, including starting a lawn-care business, to help provide for his growing family. He enjoyed fishing, playing softball and bowling but as the number of children increased, the amount of time he could devote to hobbies decreased. We never heard him complain about this loss.
Dick had a great love of music — all kinds.  He loved musicals and any kind of musical performance or program. He always said, “It’s so beautiful.” When the family went to Disneyland, we always had to go to all the musical programs — The Tiki Room, Small World, The Golden Horse Shoe Revue and America Sings. This practice was sometimes frustrating for his children who wanted to go on the “fun rides” but had to sit and watch the shows. Remembering this now makes us all smile.
Dick was an active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and served in many callings, including several Young Men’s presidencies, as Elder’s Quorum President and Ward Mission Leader, and in several Bishoprics. He was amazed and grateful for his opportunity to serve as Bishop of the Bennion 3rd Ward for six years.  Dick was profoundly grateful to serve as an ordinance worker in the Jordan River Temple for many years.
Dick’s life was guided by his understanding of the Gospel of Jesus Christ and his membership in the Church.  Three Gospel principles were especially important to him: continuous learning; perfecting himself; and serving others.
He was continually trying to learn new things and read extensively. Dick followed the commandment to seek learning by study and also by faith.  When anyone visited, Dick always shared a copy of something he had read and with which he was impressed.  He clipped articles that influenced him from newspapers and magazines and compiled them in a scrapbook.  After retirement, Dick became a Master Gardener and beekeeper. He shared his knowledge and the fruits of his labors generously with others.  Whenever he found something that he thought was delicious or fun or amazing, Dick had to share it with everyone he knew. If he had a new favorite ice cream, we all had a new favorite ice cream or restaurant or movie.
Dick sincerely tried to base decisions on what he believed was the right thing to do. He tried to be patient, kind and compassionate. Dick taught his family the Gospel by precept and example. He looked for the hand of God in his life and frequently shared what he saw as evidence of it.
Dick’s work ethic was amazing; he was blessed with what some of us called the “IMBB (I Must Be Busy) gene.” He was always the first one at every service project.  Dick was never afraid to work hard and would work until the task was done or it got too dark to see what he was doing. He taught his family that, “One bite at a time you can eat an elephant.”  That maxim has served his family well over and over; we owe him much for teaching us to work. Dick helped all his children and many others with whatever needs they had; he was generous with his time, money and other resources. Even in his last years, Dick looked for small ways to serve and brighten the lives of others.
His children and grandchildren remember that he was always pleasant and willing to help in whatever way he could. He leaves a legacy of love and service; we mourn his loss.
The family would like to express gratitude to the staff at Beehive Homes of Riverton for their care.
Because of COVID-19 restrictions, a private, by invitation only, funeral service will be held at Memorial Holladay-Cottonwood Mortuary, 4670 S. Highland Dr., Holladay, UT  84117 on Monday, November 30, 2020, at 11:00 AM.  All other attendees are invited to attend by Zoom.  Zoom link and information is provided below.  A private, by invitation only, family visitation will be held from 9:30 to 11:00 AM preceding the service.
Interment will be at Valley View Memorial Park, 4335 W. 4100 S., West Valley City, Utah 84129.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations in Dick’s name to the Primary Children’s Hospital in Salt Lake City, Utah.
ZOOM Instructions

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Service Information
Viewing at By Invitation Only
Memorial Holladay~Cottonwood Mortuary, 4670 South Highland Drive, Holladay,Utah 84117





Funeral Service
at By Invitation Only
Memorial Holladay~Cottonwood Mortuary, 4670 South Highland Drive, Holladay,Utah 84117