Duane Johnson Obituary

Duane James Johnson

1944-2025

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Duane "The Rock" Johnson passed away on January 10, 2025 surrounded by his loving family after a lengthy battle with Parkinson's disease.

Duane was originally due to be born on April Fool's Day, but after an extended labor, he arrived on April 2, 1944. His childhood in Nampa, Idaho was marked by enjoying ice cream from the family's Dairy Queen, playing on the railroad tracks, and racing his hot rod through town. He was an Eagle Scout and loved the Scouting program. At the age of 18, he was tragically hit by a car while walking on the sidewalk, leading to a difficult two-year recovery. He went on to serve in the Great Lakes Mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

He met the love of his life, Linda Smith, at a BYU dance when he asked her, "What ward are you in?" to which she retorted, "Yours!" during their first dance together. They married March 31, 1969. Duane earned his Master's Degree in psychology, and after moving around the Mountain West, the family eventually settled in Arvada, Colo., where they lived for 28 years while raising their four children. He and Linda returned to Utah 15 years ago.

Duane bled cougar-blue and never missed a BYU game…or the chance to talk about it. He was deeply committed to genealogy and created a database with 30,000+ family names. As a young father, Duane was always volunteering at church service projects or when someone needed help moving. Saturday mornings were dedicated to haggling at garage sales and coaching his kids' soccer games.

He took pride in authoring and publishing a groundbreaking preschool curriculum, as well as a "Micr Made Easy" book for the check-printing industry-something only his oldest son truly understands. He enjoyed tackling hands-on projects: From his incredible gardening expertise, to finishing the basement, to fixing their fleet of salvaged cars that constantly broke down, to dominating multi-regional Pinewood Derby championships–his only cars that seemed to function properly.

He worked for his church for many years and served in the Bishopric, as an Elder's Quorum President, as the Stake Mission Leader, and on the High Council.

Duane is survived by his devoted wife Linda and his children Jamie (Amber) Johnson, Tammy (Jeremy) Porter, Chris Johnson, Lisa Johnson and five grandchildren. Duane was preceded in death by his parents J. Elbert and Irene Johnson, and his siblings: Belva Johnson (died in infancy), Eilene (Fred) Thompson, Norma Johnson and Farrell (Candy) Johnson.

Duane may have narrowly missed an April Fool's birthday but he was a fan of goofy dad jokes and loved to tease his grandchildren. He was a good and kind husband, father, grandfather and brother. He is deeply missed and leaves a legacy of family, service and faith.

Please join us in celebrating Duane's life at a public viewing on Friday, January 17th, from 6-8 p.m. at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints meetinghouse at 4333 South 6400 West, West Valley City, UT. The memorial service will be on Saturday, January 18th, at 11 a.m. at the same address. The interment will be at Wasatch Lawn Memorial Park, 3401 S. Highland Drive, Millcreek, UT, under the direction of Jenkins-Soffe Funeral Homes.

To view a livestream of the service and share tributes and pictures of his life, please visit https://jenkins-soffe.com/obituaries/duane-johnson-2025