Joshua David Johnson

Our dear son and brother, Joshua David Johnson (28), unexpectedly passed away in a tragic car accident involving a drunk driver in Southern California on November 14th, 2021.

Josh was born August 10th, 1993, to Kimberly Allsop and David Rockwood Johnson, their third child. His favorite word as a young child was “commotion”, which proved prophetic as he blessed his family with a joyous and active boyhood. He took his job as the only boy very seriously, teasing his sisters and making sure they kept up with Legos. Every day with Josh was a gift.

Josh enjoyed playing soccer, basketball and little league baseball while attending Cottonwood Elementary School where he forged some of his strongest and longest lasting friendships. He attended middle school at The Waterford School where he developed a deep love for lacrosse. At Olympus High School, Josh was captain of his Lacrosse Team and his gregarious and fun-loving nature blossomed. During his senior year he represented Olympus High on a service trip to India, which planted the seeds for a growing passion to learn about the world’s diverse peoples and cultures.

Following his graduation from Olympus High School, Josh embarked on a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to Tacloban, Philippines, where he diligently and joyfully served the Filipino people. After surviving the devastating typhoon Haiyan in 2013 he spent countless hours helping those around him rebuild their lives. He developed a great affinity for the Filipino people and, in the years following his mission, enjoyed any chance encounter or opportunity to surprise them with his fluency in Tagalog and Waray.

Josh graduated from Brigham Young University with a degree in Finance from the Marriott School of Business. He gained valuable experience at several software companies before playing a critical role in the creation of the sales team’s strategy at Workstream, a San Francisco-based company. He thrived in his career due to his ability to become fast friends with colleagues, his drive to lead teams, and a passion for fast-growing companies.

Josh captivated people with his bright blue eyes and infectious smile. His genuine interest in people of all faiths, cultures, and backgrounds was felt by anyone who crossed his path. His ability to make each person feel seen and important came across effortlessly. A natural-born leader, he had a knack for corralling a group of people to embark on any and every adventure. He was happiest in the mountains and the waves and was an avid, skier, surfer, rock-climber, and runner. Always in pursuit of his next big objective, he summited the Matterhorn, surfed the waves of Bali, worked the 2012 Olympic Games in London, biked through South America, hiked the Great Wall of China, skied the European Alps and completed the 2021 Big Cottonwood Marathon.

Quick-witted and deep thinking, Josh enjoyed analyzing politics, economics, and current events, which often led to rousing dinner-table and late-night discussions with family and friends. He demonstrated courage in being introspective and living intentionally. He developed personal philosophies on the meaning of life, happiness, suffering, and joy. Josh was a constant exemplar of pure, unconditional love. He cared deeply for the environment and reveled in the beauty of the earth around him. He was inspired by his idol Elon Musk as well as other industrious visionaries and looked forward to a universe filled with electric cars and space exploration.

Josh is survived by his loving parents, Kimberly Allsop and David Rockwood Johnson, sisters Brooklynn Johnson, Brynne (Adam) Turville, and Kyra (Beau) Hoge, niece Claire Turville, and nephews Henry and Fitz Turville and countless friends. The family wishes to thank the many angels who have carried us through this unimaginable grief. Life is a gift, and we thank God for the wonder of Josh’s magnificent life.

Funeral services will be held on Monday, November 29th, at 11:00 am at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints located at 1830 East, 6400 South in Murray, Utah. A celebration of life will follow that evening.

A GoFundMe called “Remembering Josh” (link below) has been set up for two of Josh’s loves, the people of Tacloban, Philippines and preserving the beautiful Wasatch Mountains of Utah.