Jeffrey Lynn Johnson

Jeffrey Lynn Johnson died on Thanksgiving Day, November 28, 2019. If he hadn’t been in the hospital, he would have been cooking Thanksgiving dinner for his devoted life partner and best friend, Julie Plant.

Jeffrey grew up in Salt Lake City, attending Highland High School. He graduated from the University of Utah in Business Administration. After university and ROTC he entered the military, ultimately completing his service as captain of an armor division in Schweinfurt, Germany.

Jeffrey loved to cook and entertain. Most conversations gravitated toward what he was cooking that day. He owned all the accoutrement for creating a feast, and his excitement was infectious. He created a well-loved restaurant in Salt Lake, Don Quixote, which he operated for years. After this he managed a restaurant at Jenny Lake Lodge in Grand Teton National Park, and another at Smoke Tree Ranch in Palm Springs. Jeffrey and Julie, also, traveled around the west showing Julie’s purebred cats. In their retirement, they enjoyed travelling in their RV and going to restaurants. Jeffrey & Julie also loved spending time with their dogs and supporting local animal causes.

One of Jeffrey’s hallmarks was his endless loyalty to his friends and family. In addition to food, he loved music, especially classical and Jazz. He read The Salt Lake Tribune every morning with a good cup of coffee. Jeffrey was a chivalrous and charming man. Everyone loved Jeffrey’s sense of humor. Jeffrey was always quick with a joke and his sense of humor endeared him to everyone he met.

Jeffrey is survived by his life partner Julie Plant, former wife Gael Duffy Hill, sons Jason Johnson and Patrick Bogdanich, and grandchildren Leonardo and Stella. He is preceded in death by his beloved mother, Mary Frederickson Johnson, and father, Lester Johnson.

Interment will be at Camp Williams, Utah, with a service to be announced in the spring.

Please check back for service information.