Jerold Lorenzo Johnson
September 2, 1957 - August 24, 2025
Our beloved Jerold Lorenzo Johnson left this world suddenly in the early morning of August 24, 2025.
Jerold was born September 2, 1957, in Salt Lake City Utah to Fay Hatch and Mercy Sargent Johnson. He was the youngest of four children. Jerold’s childhood was spent in Sugarhouse. He rode bikes, played front yard football and tag with his siblings and neighbors. The Johnsons were a humble family with a lot of love for each other.
When Jerold was 16 his family moved to Sandy. He graduated from Brighton High, and then from the University of Utah with a degree in metallurgical engineering. While he was studying at the U, a cute brunette caught his eye. He was enamored immediately. Fortunately for him, she was enamored also. Jerold and Carol were married on August 19,,1982, in the Jordan River Temple. It was a marriage of deep love, companionship, friendship, travel and adventure. Jerold and Carol were truly soulmates. They were so much a team, you never thought of them as anything but Jerold and Carol.
Jerold’s career took him all over the world, which gave him a global perspective. He always had a great story to tell from one of his many trips which included India, Turkey, South Africa, China, Peru among many others. He was an internationally recognized developer and expert in paste thickener technology with several patents and multiple publications.
Jerold and Carol eventually landed in the Holladay area, where they raised their 4 precious children. Jerold was thrilled beyond words to be a dad. He loved them with every fiber of his being. He was there for sporting events and school programs. He was there through the good times and the tears. By example, he taught his children the importance of unconditional love and holding true to their standards.
Jerold extended his loving spirit to his 3 grandsons, his siblings, and nieces and nephews. He was a hands-on grandpa, a best friend to his siblings and their spouses, and the fun, interesting uncle to his nieces and nephews.
Jerold loved Heavenly Father and his Son Jesus Christ. He demonstrated that love by the many kind words and deeds he did daily. He was a proud member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. He served an LDS mission to Columbus, Ohio and was called to numerous positions within the church. He diligently worked in every position he was asked to fill. He was kind and caring. Jerold served Heavenly Father by loving and serving others.
Jerold had a wicked sense of humor and could zing you at any time. He was funny! He also remembered almost every corny joke ever written. He had twinkling blue eyes with an infectious smile and laugh. Almost every morning you could look out and see Jerold on his walks. He loved to bike. On the days Carol worked, they would climb on their bikes and ride from Holladay to the University Hospital. When her shift was up, he would ride back in and pick her up. He biked in Europe and all over the United States. He also enjoyed hiking with family. Jerold and Carol traveled all over the world and all over the United States living the adventurous life and making incredible friends and memories.
Jerold is survived by his wife Carol, children, Erica (Mike) Harwood, Natalie (Paul) Church Aaron (Jayne) Johnson, Hayden (Savannah) Johnson; grandsons, Jonas Harwood, Lincoln Johnson and Oliver Johnson, siblings Gregory (Jayne) Johnson, Vinson (Charsti) Johnson, Anne (Chris)Spackman, brother and sister-in-law Mark and Mary Riley, as well as numerous adoring nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, his sister Mercy Lynne Buttorff, and his aunt Mary Riley.
Viewing will be held on Thursday, August 28, 2025 from 6:00 until 8:00 PM at Starks Funeral Parlor, 3651 South 900 East, where guests are encouraged to use the parking and entrance on the north side of the building. A funeral service will be held on Friday, August 29, 2025 at 10:00 AM at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 4601 South Chapel Drive, Holladay. Interment to follow at Salt Lake City Cemetery, 4th Avenue and “N” Street. Share your photos and memories with his family at www.starksfuneral.com
Jerold, you are a man of strong convictions with a steadfastness in Christ, a worthy priesthood holder and have an abundance of love to give. You will be sorely missed by so many people. We love you!
In Loving Memory
Jerold was indeed one of the sweetest souls I’ve ever met. I only met him a few times, but he made a lasting impression. One time, when I didn’t have a car, he gave me his older Ford (I think it was a Fairlaine because it was quite large), because he didn’t want me to go without a car. That’s Jerold❣️
Cheryl Grana
rochester, ny
Living a life to love others is no longer the norm, but for my uncle Jerold, this is exactly what he did. We all knew that his children and grandchildren were his world and Carol was his universe. Within that world and universe his loving pull extended to his siblings, his nieces and nephews, his neighbors, his ward congregation and his friends. You learned early not to cross his boundaries, you also knew that if you needed something he would come and if you needed a hug he could give you one of the best. Jerold was often an unwilling explorer who ended up loving the exploration the most. With his hands behind his back he could find the most beautiful shell or rock in the hundreds of mundane. He could do this with people too, and that’s what led him to Carol. He recently told me that his grandson Oliver was just “so perfect,” that Lincoln was just “so full of life” and that Jonas was “going big places.” I know he is proud of Erica, Natalie, Aaron and Hayden and the people they have chosen to become. I love that Jerold held himself to the standards he believed would bring himself closer to the Savior. He was an example for all. I love that for as long as we can remember we all got to spend a week of each year in Oceanside with uninterrupted and unconditioned time together. I loved sitting and talking with him, riding down the coast and most of all I loved watching his torpedo style body surfing and his laugh coming out of the waves. Jerold, we love you. You left us too soon and we will miss you dearly. But thank you for being a part of us and our family and thank you for letting us into yours.
Margot and Rob Johnson
Salt Lake, Utah