Rockford Ray Johnson

We are saddened to announce the passing of our brother, father, uncle and friend, Rockford “Rocky” Ray Johnson, 72, of Payson, AZ. He was tragically struck by a truck on Thursday, January 16, and was taken by life-flight to Banner – University Medical Center, in Phoenix, AZ, where he never regained consciousness and passed away Friday, January 17, 2025, with his brother, Wayne, and sister, Tami by his side.

Rocky was born in Phoenix, AZ, on September 28, 1952. He attended Creighton Elementary School, East Phoenix High School, and Phoenix College.

Rocky loved the outdoors; he especially loved to fish, hunt and camp as he was growing up. He was very outgoing and social and loved music and dancing with his friends. He also loved riding his e-bike around town and on the bike trails around Payson.

Rocky worked at Bishop Glass, in Phoenix, for many years; APS at the Childs Power Plant for a special project; various construction jobs in AZ, CA, and NV, and for a time he built log cabins in Montana. Rocky was very talented with his hands—he enjoyed remodeling homes, could set tiles, do a beautiful backsplash and countertop, and paint. He could fix almost anything.

Rocky is preceded in death by his parents, Irene and Ensign Johnson. He is survived by his daughter, Roxanne Johnson; brother, Wayne Johnson (Kathleen); sisters Tami Piccione (Tom); Diane Bretzing (Richard), and many nieces and nephews.

A graveside service for Rockford will be held Monday, February 10, 2025 from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM at Greenwood Memory Lawn Mortuary, 719 North 27th Ave, Phoenix, AZ 85009.