Carl G Johnson

"A life of Service"
Carl Gustave Johnson was a man of service to his family, his community, his church, and his country. Carl’s greatest pride and accomplishment was raising seven nearly normal children, and loving and being loved by his wife of 59 years, Alva Hunt Johnson. Carl was born November 12, 1927, in North Logan, Utah to Swedish parents Gustaf Amatius Johnson and Grace Lillian Peterson Johnson. He died peacefully of natural causes at the age of 86, on July 18, 2014, surrounded by his family at his home in North Logan.

Carl grew up in Preston, Idaho, and spent his childhood running underfoot at his parents’ business, the Quality Bakery. Carl was the youngest of four children, with older siblings Vernal, Darold, and Irene. Carl served in the Navy at the end of WWII, and then in the Naval Reserves. He served in the Air Force Reserves for 20 years, reaching the rank of Major. He served an LDS mission in Sweden, and met many cousins and extended family members while there. He earned a bachelor’s degree in political science and then a master’s degree in public and school administration, both from Utah State University, and did doctoral work in special education at the University of Oregon.

Carl met fair Alva Hunt on a blind date. She fell for his red convertible, his twinkly eyes, and his serenades, where he would adapt any love song by inserting her name in it. They married on June 18, 1955, and moved to the Uintah Basin, where he was a school teacher and administrator. Their young family lived there for 6 years before returning to Cache Valley.

Carl worked at the Cache County School District as a district administrator until his retirement in 1987. He was the director of pupil personnel and as the laws changed, he organized the department of special education which he administered for the remainder of his career. Over the years he sought out grants and special funding to create and develop many special programs that are still in place, including the Sheltered Workshop (now a part of the Cache Employment and Training Center). He truly loved the associations he had throughout his career in the Cache County School District.

Carl was approached to run for mayor of North Logan, where he ran unopposed and won by a landslide! No one else wanted the job. He served four years as mayor and was proud to be known as the “sewer mayor.” All North Logan residents should thank him every time they flush. While mayor he helped create the North Park Police Department. After serving as mayor, he served on the city council, and was involved in much of the growth and development of the community of North Logan.

Carl provided years of LDS church service that included teaching, working with many bishoprics as a finance clerk, and serving as a stake clerk, a counselor in a university student ward bishopric, a temple officiator, and for 20 years as finance officer for the Martin Harris pageant. In addition to his earlier mission, in 1997 Carl and Alva served a mission in Toronto, Canada.

As a family, we hope to honor Carl’s legacy of spiritual strength, gentle kindness, and compassion. He always reminded us to give others the benefit of the doubt. He never met anyone he couldn’t get along with.

Carl is survived by his wife, Alva; seven children, Miles (Jensine) Johnson, Joyce (Larry) Smart, Suzanne (Douglas) Hollowell, Eric (Maria) Johnson, Reese (Rajeana) Johnson, Alene (Danny) Corbridge, and Valerie (Eric) Wallis; 26 grandchildren and 20 great-grandchildren. He is predeceased by his parents, his brothers Vernal and Darold, and sister Irene.

The family would like to thank the hospice services of CNS, especially Natasha, for the loving care provided during Carl’s final days. We would also like to thank Dr. Steven Salisbury and staff for years of care and service.

Friends and family may pay their respects on Tuesday, July 22, from 6 to 8 p.m. at Allen Mortuary of North Logan, 420 East 1800 North, North Logan. Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, July 23, at 1 p.m. at the North Logan LDS 10th Ward Chapel, 1550 East 1900 North, North Logan, where friends and family may call from 11:30 to 12:30 prior to services. Burial will be in the Logan City Cemetery.

Condolences and memories may be shared with the family at www.allenmortuaries.net