Obituary for Thomas Stoddard Johnson

Dr. Thomas Stoddard Johnson, 65, passed away October 17, 2007 at McKay-Dee Hospital due to complications with pancreatitis. He was surrounded by his loving wife and family.

Tom was born December 16, 1941 in Tremonton, UT to Heber Guy and Emorett Stoddard Johnson. He graduated from Bear River High School. He married his high school sweetheart, Carol Lue Smith in the Logan LDS Temple June 26, 1964. They were blessed with 5 children and 11 grandchildren.

Tom was an active member of the LDS church. He served as a bishop twice, as well as in many other callings. He let everyone know that being Primary Pianist was his favorite and the best calling in the church. He had a great knowledge of the gospel and always shared his firm testimony.

Tom loved his profession and dedicated his professional
life to the Department of Communicative Disorders at Utah State University. The faculty and students were his "family away from family." They fondly referred to him as either “Doctor Johnson” or simply, “The King”.

Tom was a True Aggie and loved to cheer on Utah State. He loved attending gymnastic meets, and was the team’s biggest fan. After Tom lost his first wife to cancer, he was able to find love again with Kathryn (Katie) Harris of Pleasant View. They were married April 2, 2004. They loved living in St. George, and enjoyed many hobbies and loved traveling together.

Tom's greatest joy in life was his children and grandkids. He was an amazing husband, father, and grandfather. Tom always had such a great sense of humor and an awesome smile. The family would like to thank everyone for all their thoughts and prayers. They would also like to thank the knowledgeable and loving staff at McKay-Dee Hospital's ICU for their love and efforts working with Tom.

Tom is survived by his wife Kathryn and his children: Jay (Melodee), Jared (Michelle), Jann (Chad) Fawcett, Thomas (Rachel), Tailona Johnson, and the Harris children: Brett (Alicia), Chad (Angie), Brandon (Julia), Matthew (Wendy), Tyson (Karen), and Michaelene (Nathan) Kippen; a sister, Jill Cannon (Owen). He was preceded in death by his parents, first wife, Carol Lue; sisters Tess and Peggy; a brother Jack; and a granddaughter Gracie Harris.

Funeral Services will be held at 11:00am on Monday October 22, 2007 at the North Logan 13th ward chapel, 400 E. 1800 N. in North Logan. A viewing will be held Sunday October 21, 2007 at Allen-Cranney Mortuary from 6-8 and also on Monday from 9:30-10:30 at the church prior to the funeral services. Interment will be at 1 pm at the Smithfield Cemetery.

Friday, October 5, 2007

Friday Night Update

Tonight Jann and I (Tommy) arrive and spoke with our great nurse Tyler. He told that dad has been put back on blood pressure medications as of midnight last night. Pancreas is still inflamed but the enzymes are looking good, which means it's slowly healing. The newest blood panel after 24 hours isn't showing Sepsis (blood infection) which is good, but its possible that it can still show up for the next 48 hours. So that's at-least encouraging.

Tyler explained to me the whole processes very clearly. He said that dad came in with pancreatitus (inflamed pancreas) it caused sepsis which effected the blood pressure. Combined cepsis and low blood pressure brought the kidneys into kidney failure and it's also weakened the lungs which is where we are right now. If we eliminate the sepsis and regulate the blood pressure it will give his lungs and kidneys their best opportunity to recover.

Jay says that they have put dad on a high dosage of Kingston Trio and espn on the tube. That's a medicine that really heals!!

Special thanks to: Carol Galvez & Diane Murdock, Joyce & Chester Redd, Carolyn & Bryant Pulley, Jill & Owen Cannon, Carole Dawn & Darrell Smith, Mark & Sandy Thompson, Linda Robinson-Hymas, Hugh Davis, Christy & Carrie, and Heidi & Steven Thompson all came to show support for the fam and dad. Thanks so much for your visits.

Thanks so much for your prayers and your fasting. We have faith that dad will be greatly blessed because of it.

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

Tom, Katie and family,

I wish I could be there for you! It was so amazing that while I was up there for my dad's emergency surgery, who comes walking around the corner but my wonderful friends (and visiting teacher - they show up in the darnedest places, huh Katie?). It's hard to believe that Tom is not up and going, but we'll keep praying! We love you both so much and the ward down here is pulling for you both! The Omer's send their love and prayers all the way from Texas!

Take care of yourselves! We love you,

The Christiansen's - Brian, Christy, Forrest and Bailee

CounselCorp said...

I've stayed away since Uncle's condition has been critical and lots of family there. At what point might if be acceptable to come visit? Greg