Keith Johnson

Friday, November 20, 2015

Keith Ardell Johnson, 83 of Mountain Home, returned to his heavenly home on Thursday, Nov. 19, 2015, after over a year-long struggle from a stroke. A viewing will be held from 4 to 6 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 27, 2015, at Rost Funeral Home, McMurtrey Chapel.

Services will be held on Saturday, Nov. 28, 2015, at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, located at 1150 North 8th East St., with a viewing from 10 to 10:45 a.m. Funeral services begin at 11 a.m., and burial will follow at Mountain View Cemetery with military honors.

He was born on the 17th of September, 1932, in Nampa to Homer and Maud (Hathaway) Johnson. Keith joined the Idaho National Guard at age 16 and went to automotive and engine school in Atlanta, Ga., between his junior and senior years of high school. He graduated from Nampa High School on May 25, 1950.

When the U.S. joined the Korean War, his mother went to his commanding officer and had him honorably discharged from the Guard because he was under aged when he joined. In February 1951, he joined the Air Force where he went to aircraft and engine school. He served 26 months in Japan at Yokota Air Force Base, where he was a propeller specialist working on the B-29 bomber.

While in the Air Force, he swam on the base swim teams where he was stationed receiving the nickname "Fish." In 1954, he was stationed at McChord Air Force Base.

While on leave in July, he met the love of his life, Leona Tullis, at a dance. On their second date, they were engaged. He drove from McChord to Nampa every weekend after to spend time with her.

He was Honorably Discharged from the Air Force in March of 1955. Keith and Leona were married on March 25, 1955, in Nampa, then later sealed for Time and Eternity in the Salt Lake Temple on March 14, 1966.

Keith worked with his father and brother, Raydean, at their business Johnson Electric in Nampa for several years. In 1964, he decided to try his hand as a farmer working and living as such in Grand View until 1971 when he brought his family to Mountain Home.

While in Grand View, he started Statewide Electric working as an electrician and farmer. He continued Statewide Electric in Mountain Home and Nampa for many years after eventually keeping only the Mountain Home location until selling the business to his partner in 1984 then moving to Orem, Utah, to go to school at Utah Technical College and start another Electrical Business Master Electric.

In 1985, it became necessary to move back to Mountain Home to manage his properties starting Master Electric in Mountain Home at that time.

He became active in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints while living in Grand View and has been dedicated to the Lords work since. He has served in many callings in the Church including Counselor in a Bishopric, Bishop and as a Counselor in the Stake Presidency.

Keith and Leona served an 18-month mission to Auckland, New Zealand, in 1995 teaching and helping others with family history. Keith was dedicated to his family and loved singing around the campfire with them. He was always active running several marathons, walking, riding bikes, snow skiing, snowmobiling and boating.

Keith is survived by his brother, Raydean Johnson; sister Olivia Vincent; daughters Charlotte Canella, Tami Luke and Susan Bailey; sons Keith S. Johnson and David A. Johnson; 30 grandchildren; 30 great-grandchildren and many extended family members whom he loves. He was preceded in death by his father and mother, Homer and Maud (Hathaway) Johnson; brothers Nolan Johnson and Merlin Johnson; sister Beverly Gallinger; his loving wife, Leona (Tullis) Johnson; and many extended family members whom he loved.