Joseph Richard Johnston Jr.

Our loving father, Joseph Richard Johnston Jr., was reunited with his eternal sweetheart as he passed away peacefully at his home on June 25, 2016, at the age of 94. Born August 20, 1921, to Joseph R. and Rosella F. Jensen Johnston. He married his eternal companion, Gudrun Pedersen on June 24, 1957, in the Salt Lake LDS Temple and together they raised three daughters. Joe lived most of his life in the Salt Lake City area, but spent a short time in San Diego, California, the South Pacific, and Corpus Christie, Texas, while serving in the U.S. Navy. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 1942, serving as a Petty Officer, 2nd Class as an Aviation Metal Smith. Joe proudly served in WWII and the Korean Conflict and received an honorable discharge in 1946. Joe built his home in West Valley City in 1960, where he and Gudrun raised their family and lived the rest of his mortal life. Joe was a High Priest and an active member of the LDS Church; Sons of the Pioneers; Disabled American Veterans; and the Admiralty Island WWII Group. He worked more than 37 years at the Kennecott smelter. At the time of his retirement, he was a Power House Engineer. Joe enjoyed spending time with his family very much and they traveled a lot seeing God's creations. He enjoyed hunting and fishing as long as he was physically able to. He and Gudrun enjoyed the winter months in the Yuma, Arizona, area for almost 20 years. He is survived by daughters, Elynne (Grant) Moulton of Santa Rosa, Calif., Joan (Jacob) Rohner of Woodland Hills, Utah, and Gwen Shilling of West Jordan, Utah; sisters, Frances Moran and Florence Woolsey; nine grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; and special friend, Dorothy Haliday who was so compassionate. Preceded in death by wife, Gudrun; parents; and sister, Melba Boweter. The family would like to give a special thanks to his care giver and friend, Karen Burrows, who cared for him with love and compassion for the past four years. Because of her, he was able to live out his final years in the comfort of his home. Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Friday, July 1, at the LDS Church located at 3836 West 4100 South. Viewings will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday, June 30, at McDougal Funeral Home, 4330 South Redwood Road, and from 10 to 10:45 a.m. prior to services at the church. Interment - Valley View Memorial Park. Place of Birth:Salt Lake City, UtahPlace of Death:West Valley City, Utah