Preston was born May 28, 1937 in Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada, the seventh of eight children of Miles (Jack) and Bessie Thomas Johnson.
He married Maurine Hull on July 21, 1962 in the Cardston, Alberta temple.
Growing up he was known as Jackie to distinguish him from his father who was called Jack. Their home was in Barnwell, a small rural farming community in Southern Alberta. At a young age he was doing all the farm work expected of youth in that era. Jack graduated from Taber High School in 1955, then moved to Calgary for an additional year of Grade 12. In 1956 he had one of the first open heart surgeries at the University Hospital in Edmonton to open a mitral valve scarred by rheumatic fever. He then attended a year at Brigham Young University and served a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Texas from 1959 to 1961.
After marriage, he and Maurine attended Brigham Young University where he chose to be known as Preston. They have permanently resided in the USA, living in Provo, Salt Lake City, Fremont, California, then Pleasant Grove and Orem, Utah. His professional career was in accounting for over 30 years, then he shifted from desk work to construction, magnifying his hobby of doing home improvement and remodel work. He was meticulous and did great craftsmanship. He loved to be helpful and would readily show up with tools in hand to assist in any needed project from anchoring a shelf to building an addition on a house. Preston loved BYU sports, news, politics and road trips. He loved to drive and has covered many thousands of miles in the US and Canada.
Preston loved the gospel and faithfully served in the Church in many capacities: Missionary, Young Men’s President, Elder’s Quorum President, Ward Clerk, Counselor in several bishoprics, Cub Scout leader, High Councilman, many years of teaching Sunday School and Gospel Doctrine classes, and temple worker in Oakland, California, and Mt. Timpanogos in American Fork, Utah, and always a Home Teacher. He and Maurine served a full-time live-at-home MLS Mission in 2014-15. He loved his family and treasured each member, rejoicing in welcoming the newest generation of great-grandchildren. He loved to visit his extended family of siblings and their families as well.
He had great respect and appreciation for his heritage of pioneer ancestors and loved to recount their experiences. He served for years as the treasurer of the B. F. Johnson Family Organization and spear-headed a DNA project which identified the unknown father of his 2nd great-grandfather, Ezekiel Johnson. He was very involved in the Family Organization’s project of building a B. F. Johnson Saddlery at This Is the Place Heritage Park in Salt Lake City.
Preston is survived by his beloved wife of 57 years, Maurine, and his seven children: Pam Raleigh, Derek (Julie) Johnson, Tracy (Steve) Parkin, Jennifer (Jeff) Ward, Brian (Stephanie) Johnson, Jason (Lyn) Johnson, Jeffrey (Kerri) Johnson, thirty grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.
Of his seven siblings, the oldest, Grant is the only survivor, as well as two sisters-in-law, Arta Johnson and Virginia Johnson, and one brother-in-law, Ralph Sabey. Predeceased are Grant’s wife Elmoyne, Nadiene (Lawrence) Nielsen, Molly (Keith) McBride, Kelvin Johnson, James Beverly Johnson, Sharon Jonsson, Betty Sabey, and nephews Dan Nielsen and Delyle Johnson.
Funeral services will be held Friday, September 20, 2019, at 11 a.m. in the Orem Suncrest Stake Center located at 90 North 600 West, Orem, Utah. A viewing for friends and family will be held Thursday evening from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Sundberg Olpin Mortuary located at 495 South State Street in Orem, and on Friday just prior to the service from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. at the church. Burial will be in the Orem City Cemetery.
My earliest memory of Uncle Preston is being in his home in Utah, and hearing him share his political views. I was more of a listener than a talker back then, but my eyes were wide with wonder at the intensity of his convictions, and his determination to persuade. His gift to me on that occasion was motivating me to get more articulate about my own views.
ReplyDeleteWhen I think of my most recent memory of him, it is also a memory of him talking, and another gift. In this memory I can hear his laughter, that Johnson laughter that erupts from deep in the belly. He has driven all the way to Calgary to attend the funeral of my father (his brother). I can see his eyes twinkling as he prepares to share an anecdote designed to bring a smile to the face of those around him. His gift to me on this occasion was to deepen my feelings of connection and love at a time of mourning.
I hope others in mourning too find comfort, connection, and love in their memories of Uncle Preston.
I too was left thinking of Uncle Preston and Aunt Maureen, and spending time with them at the cemetery when dad was buried. Shared memories!
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