Christopher Franklin Johnson

Christopher Franklin Johnson passed away on July 17, 2025, at his home in Bountiful, Utah after a nearly two-year battle with Acute Myeloid Leukemia. He was a devoted husband to Susan, his wife of over 50 years, and the loving father to their four children – Kayte (Brent), Scott (Brooke), Betsy (Chris) and Andy (Jenny). He loved being a grandpa to fifteen grandchildren and recently became a “great” grandpa. Chris is survived by his three siblings: Marc, Scott, and Coleen.

Chris was born April 8, 1949, in Palo Alto California to Arlo and Huitau Allred Johnson. One of the highlights of his youth was the two years his family spent in Indonesia while his father worked at the Institute of Technology in Bandung. Chris’ parents saw this time in Indonesia as an opportunity to travel the world which instilled in Chris a love of travel, languages and culture that he carried throughout his life.

After graduating from the University of Utah in mechanical engineering, Chris married Susan Cooley in the Salt Lake Temple on August 16, 1973, and they began their life together settling in Bountiful and raising their four children with high expectations, humor, and love.

Chris had a good mind and was an avid problem solver. Whether it was a challenging engineering problem for a client, an impossible calculus problem for a child or grandchild, or even the daily Wordle or a Sudoku puzzle, Chris was determined to solve any problem he faced. He balanced this with a great sense of humor.

Serving his Savior Jesus Christ was a priority for Chris, and he served faithfully wherever he was called. He was a young missionary in the Paris France mission and later served with Sue as Assistant Area Auditors in the Africa Southeast Area. He loved working with the youth as scoutmaster and bishop and he loved to teach the gospel. He used those abilities and passions as he served a service mission in the Family Search Library and as a BYU Pathway institute instructor. Chris loved his Savior and always tried to serve Him.

Chris enjoyed his retired years continuing to solve problems – his Swedish family history became a puzzle he enjoyed solving. He also spent many hours creating beautiful things from wood in his shop which kept expanding until it almost overtook the garage. One of Chris’ favorite things was to spend time with his family whether it be Sunday dinners or family vacations to the beach. His quick wit, silly jokes, hilarious wigs, and epic dance moves will be missed!

Funeral services for Chris will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, July 25th, 2025, at the Bountiful 28th Ward, 115 East Wicker Lane, Bountiful, Utah. A viewing will be held Thursday evening from 6:00-8:00 p.m. at Russon Mortuary, 295 North Main, Bountiful, Utah, and Friday morning from 9:45-10:45 a.m. at the church prior to services.

A live stream will be provided by the 28th Ward at this link: https://zoom.us/j/91209495322?pwd=STFhcnVhb0xuV2xCTi9vL0lXTWZ0dz09

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating blood or platelets in honor of Christopher Franklin Johnson.