Rick Verdell Johnson

RICK VERDELL JOHNSON Rick Verdell Johnson of Dolores, Colo. passed away peacefully on Thursday, April 23, 2015, after a courageous and gracious battle with cancer. His mother named him Rickey, after the character in the "I Love Lucy" TV show. Rick was born in Salt Lake City, Utah on August 30, 1951. He lived in Salt Lake until moving to Moab in 1992, then moved to Dolores in 1994. Rick deeply appreciated nature and loved to be outdoors. He was a skier and a river runner, but his greatest passion was simply walking through beautiful country, he viewed all unspoiled places as beautiful country. He studied engineering at the University of Utah for two years, then later earned a degree from Salt Lake Community College in 1983. After his career in electronics was taken to China he worked as a carpenter. Rick was a humble, hard working and painfully honest man. Most of all he was a loving husband, father, and "Grumpa/Papa". He will be deeply missed by all those who loved him. Surviving Rick is his best friend and partner his wife of 35 years, Penny Johnson; daughter, Kayla (Carlos) Cabriales; grandchildren, Izak and Alyssa Hygham, CJ and Danika Cabriales; brothers, Randy (Lori) Johnson, and Mike (Carolyn) Johnson; sister, Lori Smith; brothers-in-law, Mike (Cheryl) Spencer, Raymond Spencer, Lynn (Shannon) Spencer, Scott Spencer, and John Spencer; sister-in-law, Susan (Bill) Yadeskie; and numerous nephews and nieces. He was preceded in death by his parents, Harold Verdell and Lois Johnson. A celebration of Rick's love for life will take place on June 6, 2015 at 3 p.m. at his home in Dolores, Colo. Memorial contributions can be made to Primary Children's Hospital, Cancer Care & Research, PO Box 58249, Salt Lake City, Utah 84158-0249