J. Reed Johnson

Surrounded by family, J. Reed Johnson, 80, passed away in Logan, Utah on Sunday, March 29, 2009 incident to age and Parkinson's disease. Reed was born on August 15, 1928 in Logan, Utah to Oliver Guy Johnson and Violate Nyman Johnson. He was the third of five children. His childhood was spent in Logan, attending Logan Schools and working the family farm. He married Gloria Jorgensen on June 28, 1950 in the Logan LDS Temple. He served in the military and spent one year of active duty in Korea as a First Sergeant in communication, serving just behind the battle front. He attended USU and received a Bachelor's degree in 1961 in Social Work. Reed was a farmer/rancher his entire life and farmed the homestead dry farm located in Blue Creek Valley, Utah. He raised beef cattle and operated a dairy farm located west of Logan. Winters were spent in construction work to help support his growing family of eight children. Starting in 1986, Reed worked at USU as a farm manager in the Animal Science Department until his retirement. Reed was an active member of the LDS church and served in many capacities with many years spent in scouting, where he received the Silver Beaver Award for 30 years of service, Elder's Quorum leadership, Seventies, High Priests and the Terrace Grove Branch Presidency. He served in many capacities in the community including the Logan Planning and Zoning Commission, Logan and Cache County Cattle Association as president, Logan Northwest Field Irrigation Company as director and president, and Logan North Field Irrigation Company as secretary. Reed enjoyed the outdoors; camping, fishing, and hunting. Hunting was a passion he enjoyed with his sons, daughters and grandsons in four western states. He was a marksman who was always racing with his sons, Dennis and Mark, to be the first to shoot. He is survived by his wife, Gloria, eight children: Dennis Debbie Ann Johnson, Paulette Paul D. Campbell, Mark Shannon Johnson, Carolyn Jens Trauntvein, Becky Keven Kendall, Beverly Hal Cornia, Debbie Terry Wright, Peggy Leon Bodily; 33 grandchildren; 18 great grandchildren; and sisters: Beth Somers and Ollie Jean Sorensen. He was preceded in death by his parents, Oliver Guy and Vilate Nyman Johnson; brothers: Nyman O. Johnson, James W. Jim Johnson, and Carl G. Johnson. A memorial service will be held Wednesday, April 1, 2009 at the 15th/16th ward chapel located at 125 West 600 North, Logan, Utah at 12:00 noon. Viewings will be held Tuesday, March 31, 2009 from 6 to 8 p.m. at Nelson Funeral Home, 162 East 400 North, Logan and Wednesdaymorning from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. at the church prior to services. Interment will be at the Logan Cemetery with military honors. Condolences may be extended to the family online at www.nelsonfuneralhome.com