Joe Johnson

On June 9, 2025, we all lost a very best friend, a man whose kindness, laughter, and light touched everyone he met. Joe Johnson, a man whose very purpose was to lift others, lead with love, and live each day to the fullest, completed his earthly mission and stepped into his next great assignment in the spirit world.

Born on May 24, 1945, in Tooele, Utah, to Gene and Freya Johnson, Joe lived a life rich in faith, love, and unshakable devotion to God, family, and his community. He was a man who never met a stranger that didn’t become a friend, never missed a moment to serve, and never passed through a room without leaving it brighter.

Joe moved through life embracing one assignment after another, each of which he magnified with his larger-than-life personality. He graduated from Bountiful High in 1963, where he was not only a talented basketball player, but also a natural leader, serving as Boys Association President.

He was recruited to play basketball at Weber State University by the legendary Dick Motta and played until accepting the call to serve an LDS mission in the Central Atlantic States. After returning home, he resumed his studies at Weber State, where he met and married LaVon Stout. He accepted his role as husband wholeheartedly. LaVon is honored to have been his wife and companion on this earth. It was evident in all he did that he deeply loved and cherished her.

While they were engaged, Joe was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s Disease and given three years to live. This trial became a defining moment in their marriage, where they adopted their motto of: “We may never pass this way again,” creating a life filled with purpose, presence, and a refusal to take one another for granted. Their marriage stands as a powerful example to all who knew them.

In 1970, Joe accepted his role at Bountiful High, beginning his career as a basketball coach. During this time, he also embraced his most treasured role, the sacred role of a father. Joe and LaVon adopted six children: Ryan, Jodie, Katie, Jenie, Dallas, and Kellie. One of his greatest honors in life was being a father, a role he embraced wholeheartedly and never stopped fulfilling.

In 1978, Joe was recruited to sell insurance for Beneficial Life, a role he faithfully fulfilled until 1996. Yet, his true passion lay in his sacred church callings, which he embraced with unwavering devotion. During those years, he served as Bishop of the 41st Ward in Bountiful, then as Stake President of the Bountiful Heights Stake, and ultimately as Mission President of the Columbus Ohio Mission from 1996 to 1999. In every calling, Joe ministered with a heart full of love and a deep commitment to those he served. His missionaries held a special place in his soul, he cherished each one, and true to his nature, kept in touch with many of them for decades.

In 2002, Joe extended his service to the broader community by accepting the role of Mayor of Bountiful, a position he held for over 12 years, from 2002-2014. Under his guidance, the Bountiful Rec Center was built, offering a space for families and neighbors to gather, play, and stay active. He played a key role in the development of the Bountiful Pond, creating a place of beauty and reflection for residents and visitors alike. And these were just a few of the many contributions he made to enrich and strengthen the city of Bountiful. Joe led with vision, heart, and a sincere love for his hometown.

Another role Joe held closest to his heart was that of Grandpa Joe. He would travel any distance to be there for his 22 grandchildren and 3 great-grandchildren, showing up at every event, game, recital, or birthday with pride and joy. He never missed a chance to celebrate their lives and accomplishments. Each grandchild knew they were deeply loved, his home was always open, and his heart even more so.

Joe also took great pride in caring for his yard, keeping it as immaculate and well-tended as the temple grounds, always finishing his work by 7 a.m. sharp. He was such a regular at Parsons Bakery and Maverik that it’s fair to say he single-handedly kept them in business. But it wasn’t just the treats and Diet Cokes that brought him back, it was the people. Joe had a way of turning a simple stop into lasting friendship. He brought that same spirit of love to the golf course, not just for the game, but for the laughter, stories, and connections it brought him.

Joe’s greatest legacy is that of service. He served everyone, everywhere he went, in every assignment he accepted. He had a gift for making everyone feel like his best friend. Everyone loved Joe, because Joe loved everyone. He was a remarkable leader because he led with love. A rooted disciple of Jesus Christ, he truly embodied Christlike principles. He was the happiest, craziest, most fun person, quick to beat you at cards, tease you relentlessly, and show up at your door in your darkest hour to support and serve.

We will miss his runs to the dump, his smoky BBQs, his infectiously loud laugh, and his bear hugs. We love you, Joe.

Joe is preceded in death by his parents and his best friend, Phil Olsen. He is survived by his beloved wife LaVon, and children; Ryan (Amy), Jodie (Corey), Katie (Kyle), Jenie, Dallas (Brita), and Kellie.

A public viewing will be held on Friday, June 13, 2025, from 6:00–8:00 p.m. at the Bountiful Heights Stake Center, 33 S. Moss Hill Drive in Bountiful, and again on Saturday morning, June 14, 2025, from 9:30–10:30 a.m., before the funeral services. Funeral services will be held at the same location on Saturday from 11:00 a.m. –12:00 p.m., followed by interment at the Bountiful City Cemetery.

The service will be broadcast online at: https://www.youtube.com/@bountifulheightsstake2118/streams