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.
Thursday 9:00pm Update
Not too much new to report. Dad's color is improved and the night nurse Tyler said there are some encouraging improvements, but cautioned that Dad is not out of the woods. He is still in a sedated state for the purpose of the ventilator to optimally perform and maximize lung capacity and oxygen saturation. Tommy's ipod full of Kingston Trio songs is going in the background behind the sounds of the medical equipment. Yesterday they (Jann and Jared) asked Dad if he could hear the tunes (prior to being sedated) and he nodded he did. So there is some good music therapy to assist the medical treatments. Linda and Sandy were there tonight as well as Tai, Jann, Jay, Melodee, Shelbee and Shaylee. Jared, Tommy and Katie left a bit earlier in the evening to travel home and get some rest after spending the day there. There have been many family members (Johnson, Harris, Smith) visit and spend time visiting in the ICU waiting room with the family. Thanks for all you support in person, via phone and your messages on the blog.
4 comments:
Can't wait for this morning's update. I'm fasting today at work and it feels good! Just curious - how does a pancreatitis, particularly this one with Uncle Tom, start? Do they know? Look forward to the next update! Greg
there are some causes like Alcoholism, Gual Bladder (his is removed). Doc ruled out the meds he was on before. They told us there is a category of pateints that just get it unexplainedly. We are not sure yet, but your mom said uncle Jack treated Dad for Pancreatitus when he was living at home before he was married in his early 20's (cause unknown).
I want to verify that Tom had pancreatitis as a young man around 20 yr. I just talked to Jill and she remembered it will also, as we were there and I can remember Uncle Jack wondering how in the world he could get something like that at such a young age. Jill said she thought he had it again at one time. I know for a reality that Jack treated him vigorously and that he was sick for a long time---though kept working. I know that once they have such an entity, it certainly can recur. My love and best to all of you. Tom has always been so kind and supportive, helpful and willing to be such since my sweetheart Jack has been gone. I have appreciated him so very much and send my love to all of you. Love, Aunt Mary
Thank you for the verification. Katie is going to relay that information to the doctors. Perhaps it is a relapse of an old pancreatitus episode.
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