Richard Arlen Johnson

Services will be at 3 p.m. Sept. 8 at the Callahan-Edfast Mortuary Chapel.

He was an ophthalmic technician.

He is survived by his wife, Carole S. of Fruita; four daughters, Darcy Michael, Curry Newton, Rebecca Newberry and Amy Newberry, all of Grand Junction; two brothers, Roger of Alabama and Bill of Arizona; six grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.

Memorial contributions to Monument Presbyterian Church, 2020 1/2 S. Broadway, Grand Junction 81503; or to HopeWest Hospice Care Center, 3090B N. 12th St., Grand Junction, 81506.

Richard “Dick” Arlen Johnson

March 3, 1934 – August 31, 2016

Richard Arlen Johnson passed away August 31, 2016, at home surrounded by his loving family.

Dick was born on March 3, 1934, in Minneapolis, MN, to John and Harriet (Englund) Johnson. He grew up in Minneapolis and attended the University of Minnesota from 1952-1956.

Dick was previously married to Joanne Rae Muller from 1956-1965 and had two children, Brad and Kim. He was also previously married to Patty Diana Packwood from 1966-1977 and had two more children, Darcy and Curry.

After college, he went into the Armed Services as an SP-4, 3rd Armored Division in Friedberg, West Germany, from 1956-1958. Both in college and in the army, Dick played his beloved hockey. One of his biggest thrills while in Germany, was scoring the first goal against a far superior Soviet team. He was a member of the German Hockey Hall of Fame. In 2007, Dick and his current wife, Carole, attended a 50-year reunion of that German Hockey team and had a grand time renewing those old friendships. Along with hockey, Dick loved bike riding and camping.

Dick was a member and a past Master of the Berkley Masonic Lodge #134 in Denver, CO.

Dick was a member of the St. James Presbyterian Church in Littleton, Colorado, for a number of years. There he met Carole, the love of his life, and they were married in 1986. He was a wonderful step-father to her daughters, Becky and Amy, for over 30 years. They maintain many friends from that time. He and Carole are currently members of Monument Presbyterian church and have many friends there as well.

In 1995, Dick and Carole has the joy of visiting Dick’s father’s ancestral home in Norway. They were treated like long-lost relatives (pun intended) and thoroughly enjoyed meeting all the relatives there. They also enjoyed other trips after retirement both locally and globally.

Dick spent his life working with eyes. He had his own business for a number of years, Technical Optic, that dealt with contact lenses and making artificial eyes. He spent a number of years as an Ophthalmic Technician in various places around the country, most recently at Western Rockies Eye Center.

Dick was a loving husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, nephew, uncle, cousin, and friend.

He is survived by his wife of over 30 years, Carole, of Fruita, CO; daughters, Darcy (Troy) Michael, Curry (Clint) Newton, Rebecca Newberry and Amy Newberry (Brian McSparren), all of Grand Junction, CO; six grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren. He is survived by two brothers, Roger (Annette) Johnson of AL and Bill (Barbara) Johnson of AZ; an uncle, Rollie (Betty) Englund; and numerous cousins, nieces and nephews in MN.

We will all miss his loving, caring attitude and his tremendous sense of humor that brightened many a day!

A memorial service will be held on Thursday, September 8, 2016, at Callahan Edfast Mortuary at 3 PM. Memorial contributions may be made to Monument Presbyterian Church, 2020 ½ South Broadway, Grand Junction, CO 81503, or to Hope West & Hospice, 3090B North 12th Street, Grand Junction, CO