08/28/2024
Jared Wallace Johnson
(Nov. 14th, 1998 - Aug. 4th, 2024)
Jared Wallace Johnson, protector of his family and kind, wise son, brother, and uncle, was born November 14, 1988, to Wallace Reed Johnson and Cynthia Nelson Johnson in Salt Lake City, UT.
Jared was a remarkably gentle soul. From a young age he was quietly attentive and uniquely attuned to the needs of his family, friends, and anyone who needed help–especially those who might have been easily overlooked or forgotten. He was unfailingly supportive of his mother and father, and deeply connected to his sisters and brother. Forever the caring big brother, he was adored by his siblings, who will miss him terribly. He loved his nieces and nephew and they were always thrilled to see him. Simply put, he was the best uncle ever.
Jared served a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Sao Paulo, Brazil, where he became fluent in the Portuguese language–so fluent, in fact, that he struggled to speak English for the first few days after his return. His letters home were keenly observant of the people he served, the culture, and the physical surroundings of the favela where he walked daily. Jared made his experiences come alive with insight, humor, subtlety, and compassion. He understood the gospel of Jesus Christ in its most pure sense, showing in his actions an uncommon humility and care for the one.
Jared attended schools in Lehi, Utah and graduated with a bachelor's degree in Spanish from Utah Valley University, drawing upon his gift for languages. He worked as a technical editor for CompTIA where he took pride in his work and was a valued coworker known for his professionalism and skill.
Jared had an unparalleled sense of humor. His dry wit, sly asides, and good-natured responses made people feel seen. His humor had an uncanny ability to disarm others and draw people close to him. He had the best smile, the kindest heart, and a desire to promote harmony in all his relationships. He faithfully attended family gatherings, special events, ball games, graduations, and any other event that felt important to people he loved. He was musically talented and played the saxophone with feeling. And though he pretended otherwise, he had an extreme soft spot for animals.
Jared is survived by his father, Wallace Reed Johnson, and his mother, Cynthia Nelson Johnson; by his grandparents, J Rulon Nelson and Janice Nelson; by his sisters, Sara (Bradford) Mills and Lauren Johnson, and his brother, Jacob Johnson; and by his nieces and nephew, Juniper, Redding, and Goldie. He is preceded in death by his grandparents, Wallace Johnson Sr. and Mary Cecil Johnson.
Jared passed away on August 4, 2024. He will be forever remembered and cherished in the hearts of his family members and many friends. Funeral services in his honor will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, August 16, 2024 in the LDS chapel at 600 S. 500 W. in Lehi, Utah. Guests are invited to visit the family prior to the services that morning from 9:30 to 10:30. Interment: Larkin Sunset Gardens Cemetery in Sandy, Utah.