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Brant Johnson Obituary
FARMINGTON, NM: Brant Alan Johnson, 68, died on Monday, November 28, 2022.
A native of Athens, OH, Brant received his undergraduate degree in education from Ohio University, a master’s degree in education from the University of Phoenix, and a School Personnel Licensure from the State of New Mexico. As he would quickly discover, his passion for teaching grade-schoolers was limitless. He began his 46-year career by choosing to teach at the Blackfeet Indian Reservation in Heart Butte, MT, and then continued at the Navaho Indian Reservation in Dennehotse, AZ. His third move took him to Farmington, NM, where he again taught Native American students. He wanted his students to experience life beyond the reservation and organized fundraising efforts to take them on field trips to Washington DC and Catalina Island, CA. In summers, he even brought groups of boys to his parent’s home on Birch Island Lake, WI, to experience family adventures that included boating, fishing, swimming, and water skiing. With family tradition having Brant and his siblings each taking a night to prepare dinner, he and his students would cook and serve a customary Native American meal, to everyone’s delight. In recognition of his commitment to his students, in 1998 he received The Bureau of Indian Affairs Office of Indian Education Program’s “Teacher of the Year" award “for demonstrating excellence in providing high quality educational opportunities and challenges to all students.” He was invited to the US House of Representatives in Washington DC to receive his award.
The consummate volunteer, Brant spent many years counseling students after school, easily putting in 12–15-hour days. His expertise was invaluable as he had lived for decades on the reservation and had embraced Native American culture. He was beloved and respected by students, parents, and teachers alike, as this story can attest. For an afterschool activity, Brant taught a number of eager students how to play chess and they successfully competed in many tournaments across the area. There was tremendous pride all around as the students had learned a challenging skill and built long-lasting confidence in themselves. On Oct. 14, 2022, Brant was honored, at the school’s home football game, with a “Teacher Appreciation Award” by a student he had taught five years earlier for “having inspired him over the years.”
Brant was an avid reader and traveler, taking separate tours through Europe and Southeast Asia. He also relished the beauty of the west and its wide-open spaces. He was devoted to his family, quick to laugh, and generous in spirit. Annually, he helped finance and actively participated in the always fun, renowned fireworks show the family put on at the lake.
He was the dear brother of Wendy Winn of SC, Cheryl of OH, Jay of NC, Dana and wife Terri of OH, and Todd and partner Andrea of MN; uncle to six nieces and one nephew; and great-uncle to four great-nieces and one great-nephew. He was preceded in death by his parents, Curt and Jewel Johnson.
The family of Brant Johnson invites all that knew him to celebrate his life at Farmington Funeral Home 2111 W Apache st Farmington New Mexico at 2pm on June 3rd, 2023
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
People and places connected with Brant
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Sally Rose
March 12, 2023
I was very fortunate to work with Brant at Kirtland Elementary for a year. Brant was a wonderful teacher who had a special ability to work with all students, especially those from the Navajo Culture. I had not seen Brant in many years, but he had touched my heart with his kindness and sense of humor. I will truly miss him.
Rest in Peace Brant.
Suzanne Eltsosie
December 21, 2022
I have known Brant for the last 11 years. We both taught on the Navajo reservation as BIE teachers and retired. Brant had a very special place in his heart for teaching native students, especially Navajo students. Every year he treated his students as his children. Even though he didn't have any biological children of his own. I would tease him n say you are not going to leave any DNA behind? Or the wind would have blown n no sign of Brant or anything left behind? He would laugh at those comments with his huge laugh!!
Brant also spoke the Navajo language n could understand what native people were saying. Native Dine people would say something about him and he would respond to them in Navajo. People would stare wide eyed at him. They would be very surprised at his ability to communicate.
I am missing him already but death is permanent. I will get use to not talking to him often, going shopping for his groceries, eating out, going for lengthy rides n gambling with him often. We had some fun laughable times together!! Of course, we would argue on certain decisions n subjects but it would pass n we would come to an understanding.
This pass summer my nephew got married the traditional Dine way on the Navajo reservation up by Page, Az. I would tell Brant that l and my other sister were helping our younger sister with the bridal dowry that we had to give to the bride's mother, father n grandparents. Brant said what kind of dowry are you talking about? I said for the bride's mother we had to purchased a silver squash blossom necklace, her father a silver concho belt with 15 concho buckles. For her 2 grandmother's a turquoise necklace n 2 turquoise bracelets each. For the grandfather a white horse with all the riding gear on it. On his wedding day our nephew rode the horse to his traditional wedding Hogan. When he got to the Hogan he handed the horse over to the bride's maternal grandfather. The dowry was given to the parents n elders. They were very pleased with their gifts.
But to Brant the dowry was way too expensive n unnecessary. I had to laugh because l told him we had to follow our Dine traditional way of life where the groom's family had to pay for the bride. Then Brant asked what happens to the dowry if the couple divorces? Do you get all the jewelry n horse back? I told him once the dowry is given it is never taken back or discussed. It stands as it is. This didn't sit well with Brant. He said that's way too much to pay for a bride!! I told him no expensive dowry no bride! But I also told him, we the Eltsosie family follow tradition.
Brant had alot of other questions concerning the doings of the Navajo people. He was very interested in so many people n cultures. Brant was a very smart individual n asked some very intriguing questions that you would normally never ask. Brant was a very interesting individual himself! But these are some of the precious memories I will keep as l continue to travel down my life's road. Until we meet again my very special friend n unique colleague, Brant n I!!! RIP my brother!! I extend my sincere condolences to his family and relatives!!
Jerusha Cly Bitsinnie
December 17, 2022
Mr. Brant Johnson was truly an amazing an understanding teacher who pushed us all to think beyond what we limited ourselves to.
He taught us to be modernized, to communicate, teamwork, gave us grammar knowledge and learn to comprehend books he read aloud that gave us practical ideas that we use today. That I feel, has made me succeed and to keep pushing. Thank you for being your best and not giving up on me. For the past 20 years, I've asked and wondered where you went. You will truly be missed... Thank you!
May God give your family strength and lots of love during this sad time. Sending lots of hugs and love!!
Rebecca Tree
December 16, 2022
I didn´t know someone so intimidating could be so funny and inspiring until he became my teacher in the 7th grade. Mr. Johnson taught me to stand my ground for what is right even if I was the only one going against the grain. He will never know he taught me this through a simple math problem. He had a way of teaching and caring for us indigenous students even while being his true self. His loud voice and laughter would precede his presence and his cologne would linger after he left a room. Haha. He read the Harry Potter series to us and read in distinct voices of each character, I can thank him for my love of the HP series. His lights shined the brightest during the holidays. He was a good man. My only regret is not picking his brain when I became an adult.
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DT
December 16, 2022
As the days and weeks pass, and as you return to life's routine, may you continue to feel comforted by the love and support of family and friends. Please take comfort in the words found at 2nd Thessalonians 2:16,17.
Curtis Mitchell
December 16, 2022
Mr Johnson was my 5th grade teacher when I was going to school in Kirtland Elementary, now I´m in high school as a freshmen, he was a cool teacher and was very patient with me, Rest in Peace Mr. Johnson
Natasha Fisher
December 15, 2022
Mr. Johnson was my 8th grade teacher when I was going to school in Dennehotso Az. He was a kind soul, I only remember good things about him. I often wondered about him and when I go back down to Dennehotso I would drive around at the BIA housing area and his house is their. I heard he was living in Farmington NM. Rest In Peace Mr Johnson.
Wanda K Sornson
December 15, 2022
Brant and I were friends for many years and worked together at two schools. I last saw him in September when I was in Farmington. We used to do so many things together before I moved back to Iowa in 2007. I valued his friendship and so enjoyed seeing him once in a while. I will miss his friendship very much. My sympathy to his family.
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