Sandy Lewis Johnson March 11, 1949-February 28, 2026

Sandy Lewis Johnson, son of Cloyd Lobarth Johnson and Della Jean Fuller, was born in Monticello, Utah, March 11, 1949. After a challenging battle with cancer, he died in his home out on the ranch in Fry Canyon on February 28, 2026, eleven days before his 77th birthday. He had two older brothers, John and Jim. They are all now together having a much needed family reunion. Sandy and his brothers are probably wrestling around to see who is the toughest because that is what they always did when they had been apart for a while.

Sandy was not a perfect man, but he was a good man, an honorable man. He valued hard work. He loved his family, and prayed for them every day, very often mentioning some by name that he knew were needing God's help. He loved his Heavenly Father. He knew Jesus Christ was his Savior and Redeemer. He knew where he came from; he knew why he was here on this earth; he knew where he would be after this life. Only occasionally did he share this testimony publicly, but it was always in his heart.

Growing up with lots of Johnson and Fuller cousins in this area, Sandy had a good childhood. He grew up running a few cows and farming with his dad and brothers. A few months after his high school graduation in 1967, he was drafted into the U.S. Army. He was proud to serve his country in his small way, and he maintained a friendship with one of his sergeants for many years until Sgt. Ragasa died a few years ago. He loved this country. He loved to wear his Make America Great Again hats. He always stood for the national anthem and flag, even in the living room when watching a football game or a rodeo.

While he was stationed at Ft. Hood, Texas, he met a young LDS girl at church, Lana Murphy. They married in the Manti Temple shortly after he was discharged from the Army. His heart was broken 2 1/2 years later when she was killed by a drunk driver, and he was left alone with a terribly injured little girl. They were expecting their second child. Facing this, he held strong to his faith in God and his value for hard work. A few years later he gladly accepted a son and daughter when he married their mother, Saundra Bailey. In this marriage he gained three more beautiful daughters over the next few years. Even though this marriage failed, he saw that his children had everything they needed, especially a father. He then married Gail Dalton, they have been married almost 42 years and have one son.

Although he was a good farmer and loved life in the area east of Monticello, he loved being a cowboy more. He sold his farmland in 1978 and began ranching way out in the remote area of White Canyon and Woodenshoe Buttes. Chasing and catching wild cattle were pure entertainment for him. When he was about 15 years old, he and his dad caught the last of the wild burros running in some of the area that later became part of Canyonlands National Park. Tracking and catching a cow or bull in the roughest country was just another day at the office for Sandy. He could ride the roughest horses, and could turn a skittish colt into a useful saddle horse. He loved to ride a good horse. Knowing how to use a rope and catch something with the hoolahan throw gave Sandy the advantage over other riders who often came to ride with him. He was a master of the hoolahan.

Sandy loved animals and showed his tender side when he helped a small dogie calf or when he worked tirelessly to save a sick cow or horse or when he held a small puppy or kitten. Anyone who shook hands with him needed a firm stand because he had a wrenching hand shake that would nearly pull a person over. He says he got that grip from milking cows all the time when he was a young boy. We miss him and his giggly laugh that could be heard all over Walmart. We thank him for his legacy of love of God, family, country, and hard work.

He is preceded in death by his wife Lana, his parents and his two brothers. He is survived by his wife Gail, and 45 descendants which include Troy Johnson (Tracy), Glenna Slavens (Johnny), Mistie Benson, Tiffanie Holt (Daylen), Amanda Palmer (Danny), Cassidy Black, Preston Johnson (Torri) and 20 grandchildren and 18 great-grandchildren.

A viewing for Sandy was held at the San Juan Mortuary in Blanding on March 7 with graveside services and military honors at noon at the Mountain View Cemetery in Eastland, Utah. His family held a private memorial service for him the prior evening.