Leslie A. Johnson

Leslie Albert Johnson, 85, passed away peacefully with his wife of 62 years, Leona, and all his children by his side on December 1, 2018 in Denver, CO. Funeral Mass & Reception will be held on Monday, January 14th, 2019, 10:30am at Holy Cross Catholic Church, 9371 Wigham Street, Thornton, CO 80229. Committal Service will be held on Tuesday, January 15th, 2019, 10:15am at Fort Logan National Cemetery, Staging Area ""C"", 3698 South Sheridan Boulevard, Denver, CO.

Leslie was born October 12, 1933 in Omaha, Nebraska, the son of Leslie and Hattie Johnson. He was a graduate of Holy Family High School in Denver CO. He served two active years on the USS Pittsburgh, a heavy cruiser of the US Navy, and six years in the Navy Reserve. During his service he earned the National Defense Service Medal and the Navy Occupational Service Medal (European Clasp). On January 10th, 1956 Leslie married Leona Crock at Holy Family Catholic Church.

He was an active member of Holy Cross Catholic Church and the Knights of Columbus. Leslie volunteered at the Thornton Food Bank and worked at Holy Cross performing remodeling and various other projects, including construction of the floor hearth for a wood burning stove used in the priest's residency, which was later reused for the base of the altar in the church chapel. The majority of Leslie's professional career was spent as a superintendent of construction, responsible for overseeing the construction of thousands of homes throughout the Denver metro area. Followed by a short period where he enjoyed his passion for driving as an RTD bus driver, earning the safe driver of the year award for four consecutive years.

Leslie loved the Lawrence Welk and Mollie ""B"" Polka shows. He also had to schedule his home visits around ""Days of our Lives"" soap opera. He was an avid local sports fan including the Denver Broncos and he enjoyed bowling, receiving numerous high bowler average awards. Leslie was a devoted family man with seven children: five boys & two girls. He routinely joked he had a basketball team and two cheerleaders. He loved family travel trips across the United States in a truck and camper, visiting more than 30 states. ""We all loved those travel adventures. He instilled in us the values of hard work, honesty, perseverance, respect, and love for others. We are all blessed to have had him in our lives and he will always be in our hearts.""

Leslie is survived by his wife, Leona; seven children: Stephen (Kathleen) Johnson, Conifer, CO; Lynn (Tim) Kelly, Brighton, CO; Dianne (Clint) Terry, Westminster, CO; Jeff Johnson, Aurora, CO; Paul (SuLi) Johnson, Denver, CO; David (Lisa) Johnson, Brentwood, CA; and Larry (Debbie) Johnson, Parker CO; thirteen grandchildren: Jeremiah Johnson, Jessica Johnson, Vanessa (Shawn) Kelly, Jason Rohde, Melissa (Heikki) Hall, Ashley (John) Palacio, Brian (Chandra) Evans, Kelley Evans (Dustin), Brenda (Richard) Evans, Raymond Johnson, Tiah Johnson, Talia Johnson, and Andrew Johnson; sixteen great grandchildren: Nevaeh Rhode, Kyler Kelly, Lilly Rohde, Eli Hall, Logan and Madelynn Palacio, Penelope, Zayda, Jaiden, and Isla Evans, Malakye, Lucian, and Draven Wilson, Alekzander and Ahric Johnson, and Anwen Nason; his three sisters: Lorraine (Jack) Murphy of Seattle, WA; Dee (Ted) Arnpriester of Westminster, CO; Nancy (Jack) Jacquart of Highlands Ranch, CO; and many more extended family members.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Leslie and Hattie Johnson; his daughter in law, Rita Johnson; and two grandchildren, Tyler Rohde and Donald (Kacie) Johnson.

Memorial donations may be made in Leslie’s honor to Thornton Community Food Bank, 2191 Oak Place, Thornton, CO 80229.

Please share your memories of Leslie and condolences with his family by signing the guestbook below.

Funeral Mass: January 14, 2019 10:30 am

Holy Cross Catholic Church
9371 Wigham Street
Thornton, CO 80229
(303) 289-2258
http://www.holycrossthornton.com/

Committal Service: January 15, 2019 10:15 am - 10:45 am

Fort Logan National Cemetery
3698 South Sheridan Boulevard
Denver, CO 80236
(303) 761-0117
https://www.cem.va.gov/cems/nchp/ftlogan.asp