Ray Johnson

Stephen Ray Johnson

Manti, UT

Stephen ‘RAY’ Johnson, 65, of Manti passed away on November 12, 2013 in Provo, UT.  Ray was born November 5, 1948 in Delta Utah to Lloyd B and Leah Boyington Johnson.  The Johnson Family moved to Manti in the spring of 1949. Ray was raised in Manti spending much of his time in the mountains.

Ray graduated from Manti High School in 1967, joined the United States Air Force in July 1968. He served in Alaska in support of aircraft traveling to and from Vietnam until 1972. Then returning home to Manti and the mountains he loved.  Ray married Leah Joylynn Jones on April 21, 1979 in the Manti Temple. Ray and Joy built a home on the Johnson back lot. Continuing his military career, Ray joined the 1457 ^th Utah National Guard unit, was active for 18 years serving a 6 month tour in Grafenwoehr, Germany in 1990 in support of operation Desert Storm.

Ray gave many hours of service to Sanpete County Search and Rescue in his ten plus years of membership. He dedicated twenty years to The Manti Ambulance Association serving the citizens of Manti and surrounding area. Ray worked for Manti City serving as Cemetery Sexton, Groundskeeper, and Garbage Truck Driver from September 1982 until his retirement in December 2012. Ray was active in the church holding many different callings.

Ray is survived by his wife Joy of Manti, son Matt daughter-in- law Kristi, two grandsons Cullen and Kale.   Brother Paul (Ellen) Johnson, West Valley City; sister-in-law, Gayle Johnson, Henderson, NV; Brother-in-law, Larry Payne, West Valley;  Sister, Karen Johnson, Manti.   Joy’s brothers and sisters: DeRell (Linda) Jones, Manti; Ron (Sandra) Jones, Page, AZ; Delon (Mone’) Jones, Farmington, UT. Sister-in-laws: Lewana Hale, LaVerkin, UT; LaRae Crisp, Nan Edwards, Connie (Butch) DeMill, all of Manti; Wilma (Larry) Gregersen, Clawson, UT. Numerous Nieces and Nephews which he always enjoyed visiting with.

Ray was preceded in death by his parents, brothers Grant, Dean and Sister Joyce.

Funeral Services will be held on Saturday, November 16, 2013 at 11:00 a.m. in the Manti First Ward (tabernacle) in Manti Utah. Friends and family may call at the church on Friday, November 15, 2013 from 6:00-8:00 p.m. and on Saturday prior to services from 9:30-10:30 a.m.  Interment and Military Rites will be in the Manti City Cemetery, the place Ray spent many, many hours in service for Manti City.  Funeral Directors:  Magleby Mortuary, Richfield, Salina and Manti.  Online guestbook at www.maglebymortuary.com