Brent James Johnson

Brent James Johnson, 58, passed away unexpectedly on April 25, 2026 from a heart attack, while playing basketball. Devastated by this shocking loss, we mourn the life he lived–one filled with passion, adventure, and love.

Born on July 15, 1967, to loving parents Gary Kent Johnson and Mary Joyce Crowther Johnson, Brent immediately filled the lives around him with joy. Brent's childhood in Bellevue, Washington was idyllic. He grew up waterskiing and boating on Lake Sammamish with his brothers Kent and Jeremy and his sister MaryAnn.

The Johnson family was known for their lakehouse beach parties, and Brent learned from a young age to treasure friendships and family time. As a boy, family time often meant going to Waldron Island to camp and work and fish and play games. On the island he and his siblings also rode motorbikes, shot BB guns, and generally exasperated the neighbors with noise and shenanigans.

But Brent was also charming. Any mischief he caused, he could sidestep, and his blond hair and easy smile only helped his cause. Brent attended Sammamish High School and decided that he wanted to play varsity basketball. He wrote out his daily practice schedule and taped it to his dresser. His planning and dedication paid off for this particular athletic goal and served him well in his later academic and professional goals.

After graduating high school in 1986, Brent served a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Wisconsin. Elder Johnson loved serving in this area which deepened his testimony of Jesus Christ. The people he met and served with remain some of his most cherished friends. The principles of leadership and self management he learned while serving as a missionary would later guide his professional career standards.

Brent attended Brigham Young University and graduated in 1993 with a Bachelor of Science degree in PreVet Medicine. Even when an advisor tried to dissuade Brent from following his lifelong dream, Brent remained firm. The advisor's cautionary words worked as motivation instead of discouragement. Nothing would keep him from accomplishing his personal aspirations.

While in college, Brent met the love of his life, Stephanie Lambson, and they were married on January 26, 1991. Brent knew that marrying a former BYU Cougarette meant having a partner who would be loyal, strong, and true. Brent and Stephanie never lost their love of cheering on the Cougs or each other. Brent valued “trust” as one of his guiding principles, setting a foundation that they could build a life on.

Next up for Brent was Veterinary School, a rigorous 4-year post graduate program at Iowa State University, in Ames, Iowa. With baby Dillon Brent in tow, having been born in 1993 during finals of Brent’s last college semester, Brent and Stephanie began life in the Mid-west. Even with lots of classes, tests, assignments, rounds and rotations, Brent and Stephanie made life-long friends and enjoyed the rich friendships made in Ames.

Their family grew. Chloe Laie was born in 1995 and 3 years later Paisley Nikelle was born. Their last child, Penn Ohio (formerly known as Gavin Joseph), was born December 2000. Brent loved being a father. Some of his favorite memories were going to basketball camp with Penn, watching Chloe and Paisley dance, attending soccer, volleyball and basketball practices and games, and attending scouting adventures with Dillon and Penn. Brent wanted to share his own childhood memories with his children, so the Johnson children quickly learned boating skills, fished for king salmon and water skied across the lake each summer just like their dad.

Brent was a man of tradition: Christmas Eve was spent at Grandma's, birthdays meant lakeside BBQs and summers could not end without going to Grandpa’s cabin, in the San Juans. These traditions strengthened family bonds and gave everyone a chance to be together–just like Brent always wanted.

Professionally, Brent began his career when he graduated veterinary school, in 1997, with his DVM degree, from Iowa State University. His first job in Oak Harbor was with Eric Anderson for 6 years. Then Brent opened his own practice, Northwest Animal Care Hospital in Everett. His practice quickly became well-established and Dr. Johnson was known for his expert treatment as well as his tender care of all the animals he helped.

The animal hospital had the latest equipment and most current practices, but it truly was the excellent staff and doctors who created a healing environment. They willingly responded to Brent's exacting standards, his code of conduct and dress, his emphasis on educating clients. The principles set by Dr. Johnson resulted in a professional and happy clinic with clients who valued the care and transparency they received. Brent wanted his clients to make decisions, based on the best information he could share. Brent found great enjoyment in the success of his business and in giving back to his community. Staff remember well a stern example, from a “Bob” personality, balanced with the light-hearted character of the call to “get jiggy with it” when the music and situation were right!

Brent's standards as a doctor and caregiver were paramount, and so when the landscape of Veterinary Medicine changed, away from client and pet satisfaction, he chose to pivot. He sold his practice and retired in 2023, so that he could spend more time with family (especially the grandbabies!), go fishing on his boat, the Stray Puppy and travel a bit, with his sweetheart. Brent and Stephanie's travels have included an Alaska Cruise with the adult kids, a BYU Cruise with sport heroes and entertainers, and lots of trips to Utah and Arizona. Most recently he and Stephanie hiked the Inca Trail– a world renowned 26 mile trek that ends at the Sun Gate in Machu Picchu.

Brent was a faithful member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and served in many callings including, most recently, Trek boss for the Summer Youth Trek camp in 2023, primary teacher of the 10 year-olds and finally, seminary teacher with Stephanie until present. Working together to prepare and share scriptural discussions each morning with the HS freshman in the Stake was a superb assignment that brought joy and spiritual growth to Brent and Stephanie.

Brent was confident, persuasive, and relationship-focused. He invited everyone to the party–the more the merrier. His generosity and kindheartedness will be missed by all who knew him. Those left to share his memory are his beloved wife of 35 years Stephanie Lambson Johnson; his oldest child Dillon Brent Johnson and wife Haley Michele Hawks, of Grand Junction, CO and their daughter Hazel Larue Michele; his second child Chloe Laie Johnson of Lynnwood, WA, her children Radley Ryan Freeman, Manning Laie Freeman, Maya Joyce Freeman and Rhys Destin Shonne Freeman; his third child Paisley Nikelle Johnson Harding and husband Connor Jax Harding, of Pocatello, ID, currently living in Orem, UT; his youngest child Penn Ohio Johnson of Lynnwood, WA. Also, Brent’s siblings, MaryAnn Johnson Harvey and husband Kirk Richards Harvey; Gary Kent Johnson, Jr. and wife Laurel Jarman Johnson; Jeremy Clyde Johnson and wife Kristin Iris Thatcher Johnson and their families.

Brent is preceded in death by his parents Gary and Joyce Johnson, a niece, Erika Harvey and twin nephews Nathan Clyde and Ethan Samuel Johnson. In lieu of flowers, Brent would hope that you would do an unexpected act of kindness in his name.

Brent will be buried, next to his parents and his twin nephews Nathan and Ethan Johnson, in the cemetery on Waldron Island, Washington.

A visitation will be held at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 9509 19th Ave SE, Everett, WA 98208, on May 27, 2026, from 11:00 am to 12:30 pm.

A funeral service will be held at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 9509 19th Ave SE, Everett, WA 98208, on May 27, 2026, at 1:00 pm.

Private family graveside service will be held on May 28, 2026 at Waldron Cemetery, Waldron Island, Washington.