David Kelly Johnson from Elmo, Utah, age 81, born January 4, 1944, passed away February 13, 2025 after a hard battle with cancer.

David was born to Orville Johnson and Hazel Daniels Johnson. He was the youngest of eight children. He grew up in Gunnison, Utah where his love of the outdoors developed. He was married to Deanna Williams Johnson on March 15, 1969, together they had five children.

David faithfully served his country in the US Army where he was stationed in Germany during the Vietnam War. David’s career spanned from working on the oilrigs of Wyoming, to jockeying racehorses across the west and concluded at Deer Creek Coal Mine where he retired after 32 years. If David was not at home watching a rodeo or boxing, he could be found on the lake fishing or on the desert with his wife in their ATV. As Frank Sinatra once said, “I did it my way;” David’s family would say that was his motto in life.

He is survived by his wife of 56 years, Deanna; sister, Shanna Cox, five children, Brenda, Julie, Carrie (Todd), David, and Brett; four grandchildren, Beau, Trevor, Madyson, and Christian.

David was preceded in death by his parents, siblings, and Mandee, his granddaughter.

Memorial graveside services for David will take place Saturday, February 22, 2025, 1:00 p.m., Elmo Town Cemetery, in Elmo, Utah. Arrangements entrusted to Mitchell Funeral Home of Price and Huntington where friends are always welcome daily and may share memories of David online at www.mitchellfuneralhome.net.