Dennis - Johnson

Dennis George Johnson was born on October 30, 1954 in Whittier, California. He was the oldest of four children born to his parents, Paul and Josephine Johnson. With three busy siblings (Paul, Mario and Natalie) and several friends in the neighborhood, Dennis had plenty to keep him busy as a kid. He really enjoyed playing Little League baseball, and he developed a love for music at a young age. He learned how to play several instruments including the drums, piano and the saxophone. And as a teenager, he was good enough to play in several bands at La Serna High School.

After graduating, Dennis attended Rio Hondo College for 2-3 years. And around that same time he landed a job as an electro plater with Hughes Aircraft in Fullerton. He played an important role in the production of circuit boards by dipping them in gold and certain chemicals. But it didn’t take long for Dennis to realize that dipping circuit boards wasn’t his passion. So, he switched over to the maintenance department where he became an electrician apprentice.

Dennis really enjoyed the electrical trade, and he was a fast learner. In just a few short years he became a journeyman electrician. After 23 years at Hughes Aircraft, the company closed down, which, actually, was a blessing in disguise. Dennis landed his dream job as a flightline electrician for NASA at Edwards Air Force Base. He had top secret clearance, so, honestly, we don’t know the half of what he did. And Dennis kind of liked it that way. (James Bond had nothing on him.) Unfortunately, due to health issues, Dennis needed to switch over to a less stressful, more lowkey job. And his electrical technician job with Golden State Water in Apple Valley was just what the doctor ordered. Dennis served faithfully at Golden State Water until his retirement in 2019.

Rewind 45 years. The year was 1974. The date was March 9th. Two carloads of teenagers were cruising down Whittier Blvd. Dennis was in one car, a pretty young lady named Denise was in the other. Both cars pulled to the side of the road near the famous Bob’s Big Boy restaurant. The sparks flew pretty quickly, and it didn’t take much convincing for Denise to give Dennis her phone number.

Dennis and Denise started dating almost immediately, began seeing each other every day, and became husband and wife in 1977. Dennis and Denise enjoyed 49 beautiful years of marriage. Early in their marriage, they lived in West Covina and Ontario. It was there in the Inland Empire that their son Matthew was born in 1986. And after moving to Apple Valley in 1990, Nathan completed their family of 4 in 1992.

As the years went by, Dennis never lost his love of music. He built his dream recording studio in the family’s garage in Apple Valley. And it was there in his studio that he recorded singles and albums for several bands. One of his most enjoyable projects was recording three different CDs for the worship team at High Desert Church.

Dennis was a very active father in his boys’ lives. He tried to make it to all their football games—especially when they were in high school. He also enjoyed taking them on camping trips to the local mountains and boating trips to Lake Mojave. And he shared with them his passion for classic cars by taking them to classic car shows. At one point Dennis even owned a classic 1963 Chrysler 300.

Dennis was raised Catholic, but after moving to Apple Valley, he and Denise began attending High Desert Church. He loved Jesus Christ and enjoyed learning more about how to worship and serve Him better. In recent years he often told Denise, “I’m praying for you.” And he meant it. He was quick to take the needs of his family and friends to God’s throne of grace.

On June 2, 2026, less than two weeks after suffering a massive stroke, Dennis breathed his final breath here on earth and entered eternity at the age of 71. His family and friends will miss his faithful prayers, his love for life, and his sharp wit—especially the way he teased his daughters-in-law, Lacie and Julieanna. Dennis leaves behind Denise, his amazing wife of 49 years, his 2 sons (Matthew and Nathan), his 2 daughters-in-law (Lacie and Julieanna) and his 3 grandkids (Lathan, Lucas and Mattie-Ross) who love and miss him very much. Dennis will always be loved and will never be forgotten.