Roger Johnson

1920 - 2015

1920 ~ 2015
Ephraim, Utah-Roland Roger Johnson passed away on January 11, 2015, his 95th birthday. He was born on January 11, 1920 in Ephraim, Utah, the youngest son and child of John Albert and Jennie Thompson Johnson. He attended schools in Ephraim and entered the Flight Training Course in Mt. Pleasant, Utah after attending Snow College. His pilot's education was extended to Commercial Pilot with Flight Instructor rating at the time of WWII. He instructed various courses; Civilian Pilot Training, War Training Service, Army Primary and Army Basic. In 1944 he went on active duty in the Army Air Corp. He served in the Air Transport Command, on domestic and foreign ferry duty. Before being ordered overseas he flew Army Airline in the US. He was then transferred overseas to the China Burma India Theater. On his way over he ferried planes into the South Pacific and European Theaters. Upon arriving in China he flew "The Hump", he flew 65 round trips over The Hump and only had to bail out once. He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, Air Medal, Burma Star and China War Memorial medals. After serving his country in all three WWII Theaters he left the Air Corp. in 1946. In 1944 he married the love of his life LaRue Tucker. They were later sealed in the Manti Temple and were married for 62 years. They returned to Ephraim in 1947 where he was a Flight instructor and General Contractor. Roger lived life his way! He is survived by his son John (Shireen) Johnson, his daughter Joy (Scott) Bushnell, 7 Grandchildren and 12 Great Grandchildren. Preceded in death by his parents, wife, daughter Jeanie Morris and siblings. We would like to thank the staff at Gunnison Valley Hospital, dear neighbors and friends. Our profound gratitude to Leslie and Delores who took the extra steps to make Dad's life comfortable and complete in his final years. Thank you, we love you. In Lieu of flowers please make a donation to the R. Roger Johnson and LaRue Tucker Johnson Endowment Fund at Snow College.
Funeral service will be held Friday, January 16, 2015 at 11:00 a.m. in the Ephraim LDS Stake Center. Viewings will be held Thursday from 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. and Friday from 9:30 - 10:30 a.m. prior to services at the church. Interment in the Ephraim Park Cemetery. Online condolences at rasmussenmortuary.com