Bobby Gene Johnson

BOBBY G. "BOB" JOHNSON Memorial services for lifelong Dove Creek resident, Bobby G. "Bob" Johnson will be held at 10 a.m. Tuesday, September 21 at St. Jude Catholic Church in Dove Creek. Bobby Gene Johnson was born April 13, 1929 to Elgan and Ruby Johnson in Ponca City, Okla. He died September 17, 2010 at his home in Dove Creek, Colo. His family moved to Cahone when he was a small boy. Cahone people always had a special place in his heart. He graduated from high school in Dove Creek, married Ramona Barrett, farmed, and drove trucks for a few years. Bob moved to Dove Creek and got started in law enforcement. The family moved to Page, Arizona where Bob worked first as a security guard then as a truck driver on the Glen Canyon dam. After returning to Dove Creek three years later, Bob opened his own trading post and learned to auctioneer before again working in law enforcement, first as a marshal then as county sheriff. Bob was an avid sports fan. He was an accomplished athlete. His ball playing ability led to an offer to play minor league ball. He did not pursue it due to family obligations. Bob loved his kids and horses. He loved to rodeo as a team roper or running races. He was a 4-H leader and a fireman. He learned to be an EMT and rode the ambulance. He held many offices in his church including parish president. He was an avid Bulldog fan and was the football announcer for many years. After his appointment as Dolores County Judge, he started a lifelong quest to educate himself for that position. That quest lead him to the university in Reno, Nevada, and to seminars all over the state. He spent hours pouring over books and in conference with others. His family was his main focus in life. He and Ramona raised two sons, two daughters and for seven years, two grandsons. He worked in the mines and treasured his relationships with the people he worked with. They were more than friends to him. Bob did everything with gusto including his relationships with the children in his life. He would sit a child on the back of a horse before they could walk. He showed them how to hunt and fish, taught them survival skills in the woods, attended ball games, school programs, award ceremonies, first communions, and parties. If things were happening in town he was there. If things were happening hundreds of miles away he was there also. He rocked miles with a sleeping child singing in a loud voice. He sang about a little girl named Lenore which became the name of his first granddaughter. He sang, "Papa's going to buy you a rocking horse" and Papa was the name his grandchildren gave him. He was preceded in death by his parents; his sister Coleta; his brother Bill; niece Sherri; grand niece Tara; son Brian; and daughter Susan. He is survived by his wife, Ramona; his sons Rob, Dan and his wife, Neta; his daughters Cindy, Kati and her husband, Buddy Banks. His much loved grandchildren, Jed, Chess, Jolene, Ashely, Jesse, Kris, Blane, Lenore, Amanda and husband Christopher Fluke, Shandra Johnson, Brennan and wife Jackie, Kori, Braiden, and Kyli Banks; his great grandchildren Kaylee Johnson, Mason and Landon Morris, Tanner and Allex Williams, Kaige Banks, and Taylor Johnson. He also leaves two nephews, Dirk Johnson and Russ Fiorenzo. Bob lived his life to the fullest. His love for his community was evident in his meetings, community positions held and projects completed. In accordance with Bob's wishes cremation has taken place and his ashes will be distributed as directed. In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the Dove Creek Fire Department or St. Judes Catholic Chuch. We will miss him.