Judy Johnson

Judy Ann Sullivan Johnson passed from this earth to return to her Heavenly Father on 18 October 2019, at the age of 67 due to her worn-out heart. She is best remembered for her love, service, and faith.  She loved her kids and all the kids in the neighborhood. She appreciated that they knew she loved them. Judy loved to sing and to get the kids to sing along. She would often make up her own songs or rhymes right on the spot. Judy was not afraid to be silly, pull faces, and laugh. At camp she was “dancing with spoons,” doing the polka, or singing in the rain.  She encouraged others to laugh and always laughed at silly jokes. She loved the kids at Jordan Ridge Elementary and worked with them in the classroom and on the playground for 7 years. Judy spent almost every summer while growing up at her cousin’s dairy farm in Upalco, Utah. She was always cheerful while milking the cows and shoveling manure – and she was famous for making up songs about both.  When Judy was young, she loved going on family vacations all over the United States. After high school she traveled to Hawaii, Scotland, and England. Her travels continued with Ron and the kids on many family vacations and annual camping trips.

Judy was raised in Murray, Utah, graduated from Murray High School in 1970, served in the Missouri Independence Mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints from 1973-1975, and participated in the New York Palmyra Pageant in 1975. She married Ronald W. Johnson on Friday the 13th of August 1976 in the Salt Lake Temple. They have seven children: Rachel [Jason Pehrson], Heidi [F. Brandon Bedont], Trevor Ronald [Kelly Wilson], Eric William [Sarah Brown], Benjamin Andrew [Hayley Mangum], Katie, and Sarah [Brandon Caldwell].

Judy’s family and the gospel meant everything to her. Judy and Ron spent lots of time with their kids doing early morning scripture study, Family Home Evening, soccer games, traveling, baptisms at various temples, lots of chores, and just making memories. She always said that their kids were raising them. Judy loved reading as a child and continued that love as an adult by studying the scriptures and other doctrinal books. Judy served in the Primary, Young Womens, Relief Society, music, and Cub Scouts – all of which she loved. A special time in her life was living in Corinth, Mississippi for almost 5 years. The Church members there became dear friends. Ron and Judy were blessed to travel with some cousins to Egypt, Jordan, and Israel in 2011. It was the trip of a lifetime and left a deeper testimony in Judy’s heart of the life and mission of our Savior.

Judy was the 6th of 9 children - born 15 December 1951 to John Lawrence and Delenna Tui Meehan Sullivan. Judy was born with Tetralogy of Fallot (a hole in her heart). At the age of 12 in 1964, her wise Bishop arranged for her to have open heart surgery which was performed by Dr. Russell M. Nelson. She was blessed by the Lord with a long life which blessed the life of all those who knew her. She is survived by her dear husband Ron, 7 wonderful children and dear spouses, and 13 darling grandchildren: Hannah Tui, Levi Jason, and Caleb Clarke Pehrson; Khloe, Caitlin, and Claire Johnson; Elizabeth (Betsy) Sahara, Jetson William, and Sullivan Sherwood Johnson; Peyton Andrew and Nolan Mangum Johnson; Caidence Brown; and Cayden Caldwell. Family to greet Judy on the other side of the veil include her granddaughter Abigail Marie Pehrson, her mom and dad, sisters Nancy Lee Densley and Terri Potts, Aunt Lola Meehan, grandparents, and many others. It will be a great reunion! The Gospel’s True! Sure love ya.  Judy’s Motto: “Happy is the man who can laugh at himself; he will never cease to be amused.”

The family expresses gratitude to Dr. Kfoury and his team at the IMC Heart Failure Clinic who have helped Judy for the past 15 years; Dr. Dana Anderson, Primary Care Physician, who has been so kind and careful with her care for many years; and Robin Mengis, NP, for her compassionate care while Judy was in the IMC Coronary ICU.  A special thanks to all the family, friends, and neighbors who have visited and supported Judy and her family these past few months.

A viewing will be held Thursday, 24 October 2019 from 6-8 PM at the South Jordan Stake Center (2450 West 10400 South, South Jordan, Utah).  The funeral will be held Friday, 25 October 2019 at 11 AM at the same location with a viewing prior from 9:30-10:30. Interment will take place in the South Jordan Cemetery (10630 South 1055 West, South Jordan) after her final wagon ride with Ron.