L. Gail Johnson

Lorenzo Gail Johnson, our beloved husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, passed away on June 14, 2009, at the age of 80. He was born on June 3, 1929, to Lorenzo Myrle Johnson and Ruby Peterson Johnson in Richfield, Utah. He was raised in Junction, Utah, until the age of 7, when his family moved to Smithfield, Utah. He served a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the Atlantic Central States. Upon his return home, he married his sweetheart, Marjorie Reese, in the Logan LDS Temple in 1951. He served his country as an officer during the Korean War, serving in El Paso, Texas, and Dearborn, Michigan.
Gail received his Bachelors Degree in Education from Utah State Agricultural College and went on to teach fifth grade at Wilson Elementary School for five years. After obtaining a fellowship at the University of Oregon, he and Marjorie moved their five children to Eugene, Oregon, where Gail obtained his Masters and Doctorate Degrees in Education. The family returned to Cache Valley, where he taught as a professor at Utah State University until his retirement at age 62. This time included a one-year period where he was asked to serve as principal of Woodruff Elementary School. Also during this time, Gail taught at the LDS Church College of Hawaii for a year, which experience was one of the greatest joys of his life.
Gail served in many positions in the LDS Church, his favorite being that of a teacher. He and Marjorie served two missions together, one on Temple Square in Salt Lake City and the other in the Washington, D.C. Temple. They also served as temple workers in the Logan Temple for many years. They enjoyed traveling and visited many parts of the world. Gail is survived by his wife of 57 years, Marjorie Reese Johnson, and their five children (with their spouses): Sheri (David Davis), Teri (Bill Mortensen), Maureen (Gene Higham), Jeff (Ruth Mae Chidester), and Kelly (Sharon Stratford). He and Marge have 22 grandchildren and 22 great-grandchildren who are their pride and joy. Gail loved his wife and family deeply and took every opportunity to live life to the fullest. His love and example will forever remain in the hearts and lives of all who knew him.
A viewing will be held in the Allen-Hall Mortuary, located at 34 Center Street, Logan, Utah, on Friday, June 19, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, June 20, at the Lundstrom Park 3rd Ward Chapel at 1260 North 1600 East, Logan, with a viewing from 10:30-11:30 a.m. and funeral services from 12:00-1:00 p.m. Interment will be in the Logan City Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the LDS Perpetual Education Fund. Condolences and thoughts may be expressed to the family online at www.allenmortuaries.net .