Carl DeLoy Johnsen

Carl DeLoy "Pete" Johnsen passed away April 14, 2014. He had just entered his 89th year, celebrating his 88th birthday on Sunday, surrounded by family. Carl was born to Anne Ellen Middleton and Carl William Johnsen on April 13, 1926--a birthday which he shared with his twin sister Carol DeLora who preceded him in passing.

Carl and his sister were raised, primarily by their paternal grandmother, Annie Carter Johnsen, in St. George, as their father worked on construction of the Hoover Dam, and then for The Dept. of Water and Power of both Nevada and California. A tumor on his larynx which required numerous surgeries to remove and repair his voice box, as well as separation from his parents were early challenges that fueled and forged the strong personalities of DeLoy and his twin sister. They shared a strong bond which endured throughout their lives. The twins attended St. George Elementary and then Dixie High School.

The world Carl knew in 1943 was singularly patriotic. Amidst World War II, Carl, like many young men, left jobs and school to enlist in the Armed Services. He left his high school course work to join the Navy in 1943. His enlistment required the written permission of his father as he was only 17 years old. His father was very proud of him for this.

Carl’s tour of duty was primarily in the Asiatic Pacific. He was discharged a Seaman First Class in May 1946. He returned to high school and received his diploma in 1947.

Education was important to Carl and he continued on to Dixie College to study Engineering. It is there he met Jacqueline Nielsen, a beautiful but shy Journalism student. They hung out in a large group of friends, many of whom Carl stayed close to throughout his life. It was in this group that someone dubbed him “Pete”. When asked why, he never could say. For some reason, this nickname just stuck. Carl earned his Associate in Arts degree in 1950 and then married his sweetheart, Jackie, in the St. George Temple, on December 30, 1950. The Temple was closed for the Christmas holiday, but Carl was a friend to President Harold Snow, and asked and was granted the privilege of being married during that recess. President Snow and the small wedding party were the only ones in the Temple that day.

The newlyweds moved to Salt Lake City within the first year of their marriage where Carl worked as a fry cook to support his new wife while he searched for the work that would utilize his training as a machinist. In 1951, he was hired on at Hill Air Force Base where he worked until his retirement 37 years later in 1988. In fact, he delayed retiring until January of 1988 so that he could say he was “out the gate in ‘88”. During that time, he received numerous awards and commendations for his innovative and insightful recommendations which improved efficiency, safety and morale and for the Manufacture and Repair Division in which he served. In a letter of commendation from 1957, he was praised for the superior manner in which he accepted new assignments and the expedient manner in which his work was accomplished—and that as a Supervisor, he set an example of excellence that made him one of the most reliable and capable employees in his division. This as well as certificates of completed voluntary training as late as the year just prior to his retirement sketches his character and commitment to excellence in his work which he taught to his children.

The end of 1992, Carl and Jackie celebrated 42 years of marriage by submitting an application to serve a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. In March of 1993, they left their home, children and grandchildren and embarked for the India Bangalore Mission as Leadership missionaries. The mission was an exceptional opportunity for Carl to once again employ his exceptional gifts to improve life for the people in Goa, India. Elder Johnsen helped the local municipality by improving monsoon drainage and improving garbage removal. More importantly, he taught the small membership by his example how to be a faithful steward of their Church responsibilities.

Carl was a faithful Priesthood holder and Home Teacher. He served his Heavenly Father as a Ward Clerk, a Financial Clerk, Counselor in the Bishopric, Stake Missionary and Branch President. For the past 19 years, he has served at the Jordan River Temple faithfully as an Ordinance Worker and Patron.

Carl leaves behind his beloved wife of 63 years, his 5 children, 12 grandchildren, 7 and a half great-grandchildren, and many, many friends and neighbors. He hung on, we believe, so that he could say he was "in the gates (the “pearly” gates) at 88."

Funeral Services will be held Saturday, April 19, 2014, at 11 am at the Valley Park 5th Ward, Taylorsville Utah Valley Park Stake Center, 2603 West 4700 South, Taylorsville, UT 84129-1805. Interment will be at a family plot in the Manti City Cemetery in Manti, Utah.