RICHARD JOHNS Jr.

Dr. Richard Elias Johns, Jr. 1943 ~ 2010 Dr. Richard E. Johns, Jr., loving husband, father, grandfather, friend, church leader and physician, passed away at his home in Bountiful, Utah on May 14, 2010 following a six-month battle with cancer.Dick was born on November 4, 1943 in Philadelphia, PA. He was the oldest son of six children in the family of Dr. Richard E. Johns and Virginia Harriett Johns. He attended Salt Lake City schools and graduated from East High School and the University of Utah with a degree in molecular and genetic biology. Dick furthered his education and graduated from medical school at Temple University in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1972. Dick married Marianne Peterson on August 12, 1969 in the Salt Lake Temple. They are the proud parents of Lisa, Emily, Matthew, Kari, and Brian. His family always came first in his life. He created wonderful memories through numerous family trips, family nights at home and always made sure each child had one-on-one time with Dad. During his medical practice, Dick became Medical Director of the Davis County Health Department in 1972 and later worked for the Utah State Department of Health as the State Epidemiologist. He furthered his career by entering Occupational Medicine and became the Medical Director at the Rocky Mountain Center for Occupational and Environmental Health at the University of Utah. Dick went on to become the Medical Director for Thiokol/Alliant Tech Systems, from which he retired in 2005. He never truly stopped working, however, and continued consulting until March, 2010. Dick was an active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He served a mission in the Liverpool, North British Mission from 1964-1966. During that time he played baseball with the "Mormon Yankees" as first baseman and was once voted most valuable player. He later served as Scoutmaster, Bishop's Counselor and Bishop of the Mueller Park Fourth Ward and also held positions on the High Council and counselor of the Mueller Park Stake Presidency. Most recently he served on the missionary medical committee of the Church, and loved being a docent at the Museum of Church History for the past four years. Dick had a passion for life. He had a great love for sports and the outdoors. His grandchildren were his greatest joy, and he adored each one of them. He spent hours playing with them, going on hikes, planting the garden, four-wheeling, camping and other "dates with Grandpa." He spent many hours skiing, mountain biking, running, fishing, hiking, camping, and backpacking throughout the Wasatch Front, Uinta, and Wind River mountains, conquering any good peak or trail he heard of. He enjoyed playing baseball, tennis, racquetball, and golf; he even hit a hole-in-one. He had a strong desire to keep learning and, in addition to his continued studies in medicine, he pursued interests in history, photography, traveling and anything electronic. Dick never did anything halfway; everything he touched he worked hard at until it was mastered. Dick will be remembered as a great husband, father, grandfather and close friend to countless people. His family and friends learned from his example and the life he led. His example of faith, integrity, strength and perseverance, his compassion and service toward others and his great sense of humor have touched many people. Dick never gave up on anyone or anything and had the ability to bring life and laughter to any situation. Dick was preceded in death by his father, Richard E. Johns MD, a brother, David Johns and a sister, Julianne Johns Asay. He is survived by his wife Marianne Peterson Johns and their five children: Lisa Anne Callister, Emily (Taylor) Scalley, Matthew (Heather) Johns, Kari (Ryan) Christensen and Brian Johns. He is also survived by his 10 grandchildren and twin grandsons who are expected in July. Additionally, he is survived by his mother, Virginia Smith Johns - brothers, Craig Johns (Becky), Stephen Johns (Sue), Todd Johns (Shiela) - sister, Dianne Johns Amott, and brothers-in-law, Ted Asay (Laura), and their families. Extended family includes David and Sharon Richards and Paul and Jeanette Clyde and their families. He was dearly loved by his nieces and nephews. The family would like to thank Dr. Jonathan Whisenant and the Utah Cancer specialists at the Intermountain Medical Center, as well as Hospice provided from Community Nursing Services. In lieu of flowers please donate to the LDS Church Perpetual Education Fund. Funeral services will be held at the Mueller Park 4th Ward on Thursday, May 20th at 1:00 pm, 1320 E. 1975 S in Bountiful, Utah. A viewing will be held on Wednesday, May 19th from 6:00 - 8:00 pm at Russon Brothers Mortuary at 295 N. Main St. in Bountiful, Utah, and also one hour preceding the funeral at the church. Interment in the Wasatch Lawn Memorial Park in Salt Lake City, Utah. Online guest book at www.russonmortuary.com