Ronald Dean Johnson

Today we said goodbye to our Husband, dad Bucky and grandpa.  In his last days and hours, he was surrounded by his family. His physical suffering has now ended, and his spirit has returned to heaven to be with his daughter Arlene, and many other extended family members who proceeded him in death.  

To family he was known as Bucky.  This name was given to him by one of his granddaughters and quickly became a name of love and endearment. 

He left a legacy of love and service throughout his life. He served faithfully an LDS mission to California. His church service included Stake Mission President, twenty years on the High Council, three and a half years as Bishop of the Provo, Utah Central Stake Native American Ward, four years as the DI Transient Bishop (a bishop assigned to help homeless and those in severe need), High Priest group leader. Along with his wife he served a service mission at the Joseph Smith Memorial Building for the church in Salt Lake City. In each of these callings he served with love. 

A special gift that he had was that in each of his interactions with people they always left the interaction feeling they were his favorite person. Even though he demonstrated this type of love to those he came in contact with, his truly favorite person has always been his dear wife.  

During his professional life he graduated from the University of Utah with a bachelor’s degree of science with a composite major in Biology. With this degree he became a high school science teacher in Price, Utah. After nine years in Price the family moved to Provo, Utah where he taught Biology at Dixon Jr High.  During this time, he earned a master’s degree in psychology and counseling from BYU.  He was certified in science by the national science institution, and continued to learn with a two-year advanced Biology program from BYU He finished his teaching career by teaching German and math classes. 

In retirement he was in charge of running a group home for handicapped adults. After working here for two years he started volunteering for Project Read. He was so happy to help adults to learn how to read. When he left this position after seven years. He was the longest serving volunteer they had ever had. 

Upon finishing his mission, he was drafted into the US Army Corp. His service in the Army was in Bamberg, Germany. He spent this time as a medic. It was here that he met the love of his life at a German/USA friendship dance.  Their love story has now lasted 66 years.  They had four children.  Bryan, Julia, Arlene (full term stillborn) and Darrin.  He was proceeded in death by his still born daughter Arlene. He is survived by his wife Renate Johnson and his children Bryan (Susan) Johnson, Julia (Andy) Potter, and Darrin (Heidi) Johnson. Dean and Renate have thirteen grandchildren, and eighteen great grandchildren. 

Throughout Bucky’s life his first priority has always been his wife and family. This was closely followed by his service to his father in heaven. He demonstrated his love for both by giving love and service throughout his life. Even in his last days he was considerate of helping others. 

The last portion of his testimony shows a sweet devotion to family and to his Savior. “I pray we may all keep the faith, that we may all meet and dwell with him forever when our earthly missions are finished. God bless each of you I pray in his name.”

Dad, Buckey, Grandpa, Great-Grandpa, Sweetheart, Bishop, teacher you will be missed.  We love you and look forward to a sweet reunion when we return to our father in heaven. 

Funeral Services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, November 27, 2023 at the LDS Chapel located at 50 South 750 West, Orem, with a viewing held that morning from 9:30-10:30 am at the church prior to the services. Interment will be in the Orem City Cemetery.

Condolences for the family may be expressed on this page.

For those unable to attend in person, services can be viewed via Facebook Live, Monday, November  27th at 11:00 am at the following link: https://fb.watch/oABgJa4mrW/