Dennis Dee Johnson

Dennis Dee Johnson, 80, passed away on August 23, 2023. Dennis was born in Tooele, Utah on June 23, 1943, to Margaret and Erb Dee Johnson. 

Dennis spent his youth in Tooele, learning the value of hard work on his Grandad Erb Murray Johnson’s 500-acre farm and eventually helped to build the Dee Johnson family home.

After graduating from Tooele High School, Dennis served a 2 ½ year mission to Sweden for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.

Dennis attended Brigham Young University where he met his sweetheart Colleen, and where he graduated in 1968 with a Bachelor of Science degree.

Dennis was married to Colleen Allen by LeGrand Richards on August 28, 1968 in the Salt Lake City Temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.  Dennis and Colleen are the parents of four daughters: Denise, Alysa, Magen and Amanda.

Dennis was an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints his entire life. He loved to teach the gospel and served in many leadership positions in the church.

Along with his wife and children, Dennis spent time outdoors gardening, camping, fly-fishing, and riding motorbikes. Camping on the Oregon Coast was a favorite.

Dennis loved fly fishing in Montana on the Lochsa and Madison Rivers with friends and family.  He even fulfilled his dream of fly-fishing Lake Taupo in New Zealand!

Dennis built his first telescope when he was a senior in high school and taught his girls about the heavens with it as they were growing up.  He eventually purchased a professional telescope. Astronomy has been a lifelong interest.

Dennis worked in the computer industry.  He worked for RCA Computers, Unisys, Tandem Computers, Compaq Computers and Hewlitt Packard.  Dennis started as a Systems Analyst.  His first accounts were Eastern WA University & Puget Power.  He then became Systems Manager of the Northwest Region of the US for Tandem.  Dennis then taught Project Management classes around the world.  He also led a technology team at The Whitbread Round the World Sailboat Race and the America’s Cup.  He was a consultant to the UK healthcare system in London, Target in Minnesota, EDS in Texas, and Walmart in Arkansas, etc. 

Dennis’s life journey took him to live in Sacramento, California; Cheney, Washington; Issaquah, Washington; Yacolt, Washington and lastly to Ivins, Utah for retirement.

He is survived by his four children Denise (David), Alysa (Tim), Magen and Amanda and 8 grandchildren – Hannah, McKenna, Gavin, Lindsey, Caleb, Payton, Beckam and Hayden. He is also survived by his Brother Don E. Johnson and Sister Nancy Johnson Ott and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents Erb Dee Johnson and Margaret Bevan Johnson and his siblings Carolyn Johnson Seaton and Janelle Johnson Wells.

Dennis will be buried in the Tooele City Cemetery located at 361 South 100 East, Tooele, Utah on September 8, 2023. A graveside service will begin at 11 am.

Funeral services will be held September 23, 2023, at 10:30 am at the LDS Chapel located at 12681 South 3600 West, Riverton, Utah.

The family would like to give a special thank you to Memory Matters, The Retreat at Sunbrook (especially Kaitlin Sevy who oversees the Dementia Program), The Seasons who cared for him at the end of life and Renew who provided hospice.