Del was born on January 30, 1946 to Lenard Earl and Evelyn West Johnson. He was the fifth of eleven children and was raised in Smithfield, Utah. He had a happy childhood on the family farm where his parents taught him the value of hard work, humility, selflessness, and the importance of being honest. One of his favorite things growing up was coming home from school to eat a loaf of freshly baked bread or a jar of home-bottled peaches. He was infamous for his ability to tease girls, especially his sisters. The room he shared with his brothers was lined with wall to wall beds, a refrigerator box for a closet, and a trapdoor going down to a small basement. He never passed on a dare, even if it meant drinking a whole bottle of tabasco sauce or eating over two dozen hard boiled eggs.
Del graduated from North Cache high school in 1964. His quote in the yearbook was "I'm going to be on time next time." A friend wrote, "Dear Del, It's been fun working with you and going to school with you this year. But take it easy with the girls, remember, you're depriving someone else when you have a dozen girls tagging behind you."
He spent a year in California living with his sister, Marge, while attending college and preparing for a mission. Del was called to serve as a missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the Great Lakes Mission from 1965 through 1967.
Del chose to enlist in the United States Army to be trained as a helicopter pilot. He attended basic training at Fort Polk, Louisiana, primary flight school at Fort Walters, Texas, and advanced flight school at Fort Rucker, Alabama. Anticipating his first leave, he wrote home, "when I do come, it'll be with wings on my chest and a bar on my shoulder, which I can hardly wait to get." He was deployed to Vietnam, arriving in August 1970. He was a member of the Robinhood 173rd Aviation Assault Helicopter Company. Sporting his handlebar mustache, Del was part of the Fu-Man-Chu Crew. During his service, he was given 26 Strike and Flight awards and the Flying Cross.
Del met the love of his life, Shelley Polson, and impressed her with his good looks and spiffy car. Being the romantic man that he was, he proposed on Valentine's Day and they were sealed for time and all eternity in the Salt Lake Temple on May 18, 1972. They started their life together in Sugarhouse, then purchased their first home in Sandy, where they lived for 15 years. There they made great friends and enjoyed raising their children. Del was delighted with the birth of each of his four children. His journal states, "I'm really proud of all of my family. They are my single biggest joy and zest for living. I love them all very much." In 1990 Del and Shelley moved to their forever home, where they lived the rest of his life.
He earned his Bachelor's degree in Communications from the University of Utah, but was a lifelong BYU fan. He proudly wore his BYU gear, was a season ticket holder, and member of the Cougar Club.
Del was always a sharp dresser, and utilized his innate sense of style working at Roper's, a men's specialty clothing store. In 1983 Del began working at All Weather Waterproofing. Due to his work ethic and loyalty he soon became a superintendent and part-owner, ultimately acquiring full ownership. He was honored to complete the roof on 15 LDS temples in multiple countries. He was known throughout the industry for his integrity, knowledge and exceptional quality. After years of hard work, he celebrated his retirement in 2009.
Del served faithfully in each of his church callings. One of his special assignments was to oversee the creation of a float for the Days of ‘47 parade, which won People's Choice Award. He felt privileged to serve as a Bishop for six and a half years because of the association with stake leaders, his counselors, and the members of the Willow Canyon 5th Ward. Though he would never take credit for it, we are never surprised when individuals share with us how influential he was in their lives. He was also blessed with the opportunity to serve with his wife as a temple worker in the Draper Temple.
Del was an avid hunter and fisher of golf balls, as anyone who has ever golfed with him can attest. Golf was his favorite hobby and one of the motivations to purchase a home in St. George where he could golf year-round. He spent much of his time supporting his grandchildren in all of their extracurricular activities. Other pastimes he enjoyed were going to plays at the Shakespeare Festival in Cedar City, attending Jazz games, and gardening. Del loved any kind of ice cream, but especially shakes from Iceberg, any kind of cake, but especially wacky cake, and any kind of candy, but especially Whoppers. He's the only man we know with both a hat and a salad named after him.
He also loved to travel with his family. Some highlights include his Alaska fishing trips, boys' golf trip to Arizona, San Francisco, Germany, Paris, Normandy, Italy, Mexico, Costa Rica and numerous vacations to Hawaii. Quality time with his family was the reason he loved to travel so much. Shortly after being diagnosed with brain cancer, he spent a weekend with his son and grandson going to a Cubs game at Wrigley Field, the BYU/Michigan game at the Big House, and a Detroit Lions versus Denver Broncos game at Ford Field. His final gift to his family was a vacation to an all-inclusive resort in Cabo San Lucas. This time spent together will always be cherished.
As with everything in life, Del met his last challenge with unwavering faith, courage, patience, and dignity. He will be remembered for his listening ear, the cute grin on his face and the twinkle in his eye.
Funeral services will be held Monday, March 21, 12:00 p.m., at Sandy East Stake Center, 9636 South 1700 East. Viewings will be held Sunday, March 20, 6-8:00 p.m., at Larkin Sunset Gardens, 1950 East Dimple Dell Road (10600 South), Sandy, and prior to services, 10:30-11:30 a.m. at the church. Interment: Larkin Sunset Gardens, Sandy, Utah.
