David Wade "Dave" Johnson

1972 - 2011

David Wade Johnson, age 38 of Vernal passed away Jan. 22, 2011. He was born Jan. 24, 1972 in Moab, Utah, to Dirk and Barbara Johnson.
Dave spent the first 8 years of his life in Moab until moving with his family to Colorado in 1981. He graduated from Dolores County High School in 1991 where he excelled in football and baseball. After school he worked many different construction jobs. Dave and his wife Jess met on a hunting trip. They were married in 2002 in Moab. They lived in Delores, Colo., and Salina, Utah, before moving to Vernal where he worked for American Gilsonite for over the last 4 years.
Dave made a lot of good friends at work and in the Vernal area. When he wasn't working, chances were good that you could find him in the mountains or on a lake somewhere. He was an avid outdoorsman, spending time hunting, fishing and camping with his family and friends in the mountains that he loved so much. He also spent many hours riding horses and competing in team roping with his Dad. Dave loved their pack trips into the Colorado Mountains.
The thing he loved most in his life was his wife and children. He was a devoted, loving husband and father. He was a big man with a bigger heart. He will truly be missed.
Dave is survived by his parents, Dirk and Barbara Johnson, wife, Jessica, son, Dalton, daughters, Harlee and Dru, brothers, Robert and Kelly Schraft, Aunt Linda Dixon and Uncle Carl Dixon, and cousins James, Wendy, Kim and Wes. He is preceded in death by his sister Tara Johnson, and grandparents John and Ernestine King, and Bill Johnson.
Services were held Jan. 25 at the Vernal Blackburn Mortuary under the direction of the Vernal Blackburn Mortuary.
Services were also held in Moab, Utah, Jan. 31 at the 1st Baptist Church.