Cindy Opal Johnson

CINDY OPAL JOHNSON A memorial mass for lifelong Dove Creek resident, Cindy Opal Johnson will be held at 10 a.m. on Friday, January 16 at St. Jude Catholic Church in Dove Creek. Reverend Pat Valdez, C.R. will be officiating. Cindy was born March 8, 1953 in Cortez to Bob and Ramona Barrett Johnson. She passed away on Thursday, January 8, 2015 at her home in Dove Creek. Cindy was 61 years old. She attended school in Dove Creek and graduated from DCHS in 1971. Cindy was very active in various clubs and especially loved cheerleading. She wore her blue and gold with pride, and later became her nieces and nephews biggest fan. She was very proud of being a Bulldog. Cindy or "Auntie Ope" took much joy in being an aunt to her brood. She would gather as many of her kiddos as she could squeeze into her home, and they would have the ultimate sleep over's. She would let them cook, watch movies until late and play records. She loved music; her favorites were Elvis, Neil Diamond and Tom Jones. She loved the movie and book "Gone With The Wind." Like all of the Johnson kids, Cindy learned to ride horses. She competed in rodeos, gymkhana's and looked forward to the long trail rides to the river rim with friends and family. She had a huge crush on Joe Namath. She named her horse "Broadway Joe." Cindy played softball, loved dancing and weekend trips and get-togethers at the Pumps-Dolores River. She was active in the community and in her church. She sang in the church choir and taught Catechism at St. Jude's. She always felt such peace being with her church family. Cindy was the only girl for ten years. Her older brother, Dan and younger brother, Rob were her partners in crime. Finally, she got her sister, Kati. The Johnson sisters instantly became inseparable for many years. They went everywhere together. Cindy loved her family, especially get-togethers with her Tracy cousins, and holidays and camping trips with her Johnson family. Cindy worked as a Bank Teller, Cosmetologist, surveyed for Union Carbide, was an E.M.T. at Southwest Memorial Hospital and finally, worked at the Ute Mountain Casino. She loved people and made friends wherever she went. Cindy was also proud of her Irish Heritage and was very patriotic. She stood up for her beliefs and had the utmost respect for our military. Two years ago, Cindy fell in love with Bill Blackburn, Jr. They enjoyed watching movies, driving back roads; and Bill talked her into fishing and hunting with him. Bill treated Cindy like a lady, and she cared deeply for him. Cindy will be missed driving her little blue Mustang around town, visiting friends and family. She quite often would say, "live everyday like it's your last, no one is promised tomorrow." Cindy is in heaven now, riding horses in the Lord's arena; and fishing with her dad, grandma Ruby and grandpa Buss. She is listening to "Sweet Caroline" and dancing with her angels, Sherri and Tara Lynn. Rest well "Ope" Peace be with you! Cindy was preceded in death by her dad, Bob Johnson; infant siblings, Susan and Brian Johnson; and grandparents, Buss and Opal Barrett and Ruby Johnson. She is survived by her mother, Ramona Johnson; brother, Dan and wife, Neta Johnson; brother, Rob and wife, Karon Johnson; sister, Kati and husband Buddy Banks; nephews and nieces, Jed Johnson, Chess (Kri Anne) Johnson, Jesse Johnson, Kris Johnson, Jo Lene Johnson (Heath Morris), Ashley Johnson (Michael Ward), Lenore (Scott) Carhart, Amanda (Chris) Fluke, Shandra Johnson, Brennan (Jackie) Banks, Kori (Brandon) Neely, Braiden Banks, Kyli Banks, Blane Johnson; great nieces and nephews, Kaylee Johnson, Mason, Landen, and Ava Morris, Tanner and Alex Williams, Blake Carhart, Brooklyn and Cooper Fluke, Taylor Johnson, Zaine Johnson Ward, Kaige and Keaton Banks; aunt, Dolores Johnson; cousins, Dirk and Barb Johnson and Russell Florenzo; and fianc, Bill Blackburn, Jr. Memorial contributions can be made in Cindy Opal Johnson's name to St. Jude Catholic Church, 432 Pine Street, Dove Creek, Colo., 81321.