Larry Albert Johnson

1939 ~ 2019

Larry Albert Johnson

Our beloved husband, father and grandfather at age 79 unexpectedly, yet swiftly and peacefully went home to his Heavenly Father on Thursday, January 10, 2019 while at home from a heart attack. He was born July 30, 1939 in Salt Lake City, UT to Albert Matthew Johnson and Mary Lurena Saltzgiver.

He graduated from West High School in SLC in 1958. In 1960, while serving an LDS mission in Austria, he met his eternal bride Erika Totzer Johnson. They married on July 17, 1961 in St. Poelten and were sealed for time and all eternity in the Salt Lake City Temple on March 17, 1964.

He was a proud Firefighter, Paramedic and Captain for the Salt Lake City Fire Department from 1963 and retired in 1985. Along with his adopted brother (unofficially) Roger Barnson he was in the first paramedic class ever taught in Utah at Weber State University (graduated 1978). He also cofounded the ParaMed Foundation. He immensely enjoyed working as a Sales Manager at Doug Smith Autoplex.

He loved serving as a Bishop of the Church in Rose Park (SLC). He also worked as a Facilities Manager for and retired from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in SLC. He was the first Mayor of Saratoga Springs, UT. He was a handball and racquetball champ, loved skiing, traveling, cycling, making jewelry, camping with family and fire department friends, fishing (especially with his son and grandson), helping people, being silly, and spending time with his Liebling/Sweetheart/Erika, family, uncles and countless friends.

His hobbies and interests were many and there was nothing he couldn’t do or accomplish once he set his mind to it. He is best known for the love he emanated, his generosity, fun-loving nature and his spectacular hugs. There are no sufficient words to describe how much he loved people and how much he was loved.

He is survived by his wife Erika, daughters Mary Friederike (Jack Brian “JB”) Chidester and Lynda Diane (Elden Shane) Denny, grandson/best friend Gavin Friederich (Brooke Marisa Boldt) Denny and his “Uncles/Brothers” Earl, Frank and Wayne Saltzgiver. He is preceded in death by his parents and son, Eric Totzer Johnson and sister, Mary Lynda Johnson Thornton.

In lieu of a traditional funeral, there will be a casual Celebration of Life gathering on January 18, 2019, from 6pm-9pm at the Saratoga Springs Utah Stake Center, 587 S. Saratoga Road, 84045. Please come and share your fondest memories of Larry with his family.