Comments

Thanks to all of you who are commenting on this blog. I appreciate your thoughts, they are so good and comforting to us as a family. My hope is that at some point, we will put together as many memories that people had of Mark and give them to his children as a keepsake. Someday down the road, they will understand and cherish the good person he was, and how much he meant to people. I want them to know what he stood for, and how he looked out for others. He cared about each one of you so much.

If you are having difficulties posting your comments on this blog, or would like to keep in touch by email or phone, feel free to email me at johnson9@gmail.com.

Thank you,

Ben

Catching up

It's been a little over two weeks since my brother passed away. I still can't believe this has happened. I just keep thinking Mark will call me any minute and this will all be over. But somehow the world keeps moving on around us. I already miss his calls and catching up over the phone. We would talk about the week's events, what was going on in sports, or plan the next visit. Over the last few months, he talked a lot about me coming down to Phoenix to hang out and go golfing. He was trying to get me and my brother to come for a weekend visit in December. I regret I never made it down to see his setup and meet his friends. Colette had planned a trip to go down with the kids in January. It was hard on him to be away from Colette and the kids each week, but he made the best of the situation. I know he made a lot of good friends while on the project there.

Colette stayed in Utah this past week following the funeral to be with her family and keep the kids busy. I'm proud of her attitude and amazed by her resilience. She's done well to surround herself with friends and relatives to get past the initial shock of it all. I'm very encouraged by her positive approach. This will serve her well in the weeks and months to come.

I can't say enough about all the support we have received from friends of Mark and Colette's, as well as friends of those of us who were related to Mark. It has been very overwhelming. We are so grateful for those who have visited with the family, shared memories, written us, donated, or been there behind the scenes. All of it is so appreciated. We know we can't thank everyone right away, but please know we are mindful of you.

In light of all the sadness surrounding Mark's passing, I'm finding there are some positive things each of us can take from it. For instance, I find myself reflecting on where I am in life and taking a personal inventory. One thing I've always admired about Mark was how prepared he was spiritually and temporally. Even though he was taken from us as such a young age, he had it all together. I believe he is in a good place right now. Surely he's sad to be separated from his family and those he loves, but increasingly aware of the bigger picture and anxious to reunite with them one day where he resides. Today, I took comfort in a couple of verses from the Book of Mormon regarding death (Alma 11:42-43 and Alma 40:11-12).

While life will never quite be the same without Mark, his example will help me carry on. He would want us to lift our chin and smile, be a little happier, find a little more humor in life and work hard to achieve great things.

-Ben

Thanks

On behalf of the Johnson and Carson families we would like to thank everyone for the outpouring of love and support during this difficult time. We realize it's a busy time of year for everyone and appreciate so many of you who made an effort to be there for the family. We enjoyed seeing many familiar faces at the viewing. The funeral, burial, and luncheon couldn't have gone better. It was so nice to celebrate and honor Mark with his close friends and family.

To those who have contributed to the Johnson family children fund, Thank you! Colette and the children will benefit from your generous contributions.

Mark Andrew Johnson

Loving Husband and Father

Mark Andrew Johnson, 39, passed away Thursday, December 17, 2009 in an automobile accident near his home in Castle Rock, CO. Mark was born April 18, 1970 in Salt Lake City, UT to Patricia Sharp and Dale Lee Johnson, the third of five children. He grew up in Murray, UT and graduated from Murray High in 1988. He then served as a full-time LDS missionary in Boston, MA from 1988-1990. Mark met his wife Colette Carson of Salem, UT, and was married on September 30, 1992 in the Manti, UT LDS temple. He graduated with a bachelor's degree in business from Utah Valley University and finished top of his class. Mark enjoyed a successful career as an SAP quality assurance consultant and was working as an independent contractor at the time of death. He was a faithful member of the LDS church and served in many capacities, including bishop in Chesapeake, VA. Mark was always the first to volunteer and the last to take credit. He exemplified service, determination, gratitude, and was inclusive of everyone. He put God and his family first in every aspect of his life. He will be remembered as the life of the party, the one everyone wanted to be around, the "funny brother". Mark's contagious sense of humor, sarcasm and laughter will sorely be missed. His greatest accomplishment in life was marrying Colette and bringing five beautiful children into the world. Although he was taken from us instantly, his legacy will shape our lives forever. Survived by his wife; son Nathaniel (11), daughter Jessica (9), son Gavin (3) and twin sons Lucas and Zachary (10 months); mother Patricia; siblings Julie (Grant) Rugg, Kevin (Demri) Johnson, Jennifer (Marlon) Moe and Ben (Amy) Johnson; in-laws Reo and Janice Carson, Raul (Mary) Carson, JaNae (Boone) Briggs, Tara (Seth) Davis, and Natalie (Jason) Hutchinson and many wonderful aunts, uncles, cousins, nephews and nieces. Preceded in death by father, Dale. An open house viewing will be held in Castle Rock, Colorado under the direction of Parker Mortuary on Dec. 22 from 6-8 p.m. at the LDS church located at 701 Oakwood Drive. Funeral services will be held in Utah under the direction of Jenkins-Soffe Mortuary on Dec. 26 at the LDS church located at 755 East Three Fountains Dr. (4850 S.) Murray, UT, with a viewing at 10:00 a.m. followed by the funeral at 11:00 a.m. Interment will follow at the Salem City Cemetery in Salem, UT located at 130 East 965 South. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Mark Johnson Family Children Donation Account by deposit at any Wells Fargo branch, by calling Wells Fargo at 1-800-869-3557, or by check made out to Mark Johnson Family Children sent to Wells Fargo 29 S. Rio Grande, Salt Lake City, UT 84101.

Please sign the online guest book: http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/saltlaketribune/obituary.aspx?n=mark-johnson&pid=137628989

Mark passed away tragically Thursday, December 17, from injuries he sustained in an auto accident. Mark was a remarkable man who loved his wife Colette and cherished each of their five children. He will be forever missed.

Mark's family will be holding two services for those who would like to pay their respect and remember Mark:

For those in Denver, a viewing will be held Tuesday December 22, from 6:00-8:00 p.m. at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints building located at 701 Oakwood Drive , Castle Rock, CO.

The funeral will be held Saturday, December 26th at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints building located 755 E Three Fountains Dr. (4850 South) Murray, UT (Mark's hometown). There will be a viewing from 10:00-11:00 a.m. Funeral will follow at 11:00 a.m.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made for Mark and Colette's Children through an account that has been set up through Wells Fargo. Donations can be made 3 different ways:

"Mark Johnson Family Children Donation Account"

Call Wells Fargo Bank

1-800-869-3557

please reference account # 571 380 8482

or

Mail a check to:

Wells Fargo

29 S. Rio Grande Salt Lake City, UT 84101

(checks payable to Mark Johnson Family Children)

or

Go into any Wells Fargo Branch

Mark's family appreciates all the love and support from family and friends during this difficult time.