Keith Weston Johnson 1922 - 2010

I got the call on Friday, April 30th.

I always remember Grandpa working - up in the barn or digging irrigation ditches or working on tractors. Even when he stopped working the ranch, he always had a project that he was working on.

I don’t remember him ever getting mad at us, but I do remember that he always let his opinion be known. You always knew if you drove too fast down the road when you came to visit, or if he didn’t like the logo on your shirt.

One day when we went to visit, grandpa asked us if we were renting an apartment and how much we paid. Then he went on  and on about how stupid it was to throw money away by renting. So Steve and I decided that we should look into buying a house. I am glad that I was able to see him when we got back from Florida.

This is his Obituary from the Herald Journal.

LAKETOWN, Utah - Keith Weston Johnson, 88, left this life peacefully at his home April 30, 2010. He was born in Laketown, Utah, on April 18, 1922, to Willis Dewitt and Lydia Ann Weston Johnson. He married Thelma Satterthwaite on Sept. 19, 1942, and was later sealed in the Logan LDS Temple on March 30 1959.

He was a man of varied interests and talents and was a civic leader. He gave generously of his time and means to the community and LDS Church. He served as president of the Rich County School Board and Bear Lake TV.

Keith has one passion in life, his love for livestock and the Big Creek Ranch. He devoted his life to good, hard, honest work. He was taught this ethic at an early age while working side by side with his father Dewitt.

Keith spent his life adding upon what his father started. He now passes that legacy of ranching to his sons.

Keith had a way with animals; his love and gentleness of them was always visible. His pets were his pals and always on his mind right to the end.

Keith loved and cared deeply for his family; they were what mattered most. He will be greatly missed and always remembered in our hearts. We are grateful we had the time we had and for the wealth of love and knowledge we all received.

He is survived by his wife Thelma; children: Joan (Mark) Mckinnon of Laketown, Utah; Dee (Gaye) Johnson of Dry Fork, Wyo.; Bonnie (Dewey) Forsberg of Logan, Utah; Philip (Bobbi) Johnson of Parker, Colo.; Nola (Farrell) Eastman of Millville, Utah; Kimberly (Brent) Roberts of Providence, Utah; Yale (Lisa) Johnson of Laketown, Utah.

Keith was preceded in death by his parents; a baby boy, Gilbert; two brothers and two sisters.

The family will have a private funeral at 11 a.m. Monday, May 3, 2010, at the Big Creek Ranch. Interment will be in the Big Creek Cemetery.

The Keith Johnson family will welcome friends to celebrate his life with them from 4 to 6 p.m. May 3, 2010, at their home.