David Leroy Johnson
August 26, 1943 — November 17, 2023
David Leroy Johnson passed away at his home in Shelley Friday, Nov 17, 2023 surrounded by his family. He had battled cancer for 3 ½ years.
David was born August 26, 1943 in Boise, Idaho. He was the youngest child of Ethel Van Voorhis & Cecil Johnson. As a young child the family moved to Emmett, Idaho. They had a small farm and he learned to drive very early by driving the tractor. In the 5th grade they sold the farm and moved into town. They lived next door to who would become his wife, Vicki Borup.
At the age of 11 Dave lost his oldest sister in a car accident. She left 2 small children. Dave’s parents took them in and raised them as their own. He always thought of them as a brother and sister.
Dave was involved in sports in school. He played basketball, baseball, and did high school rodeo. He was a pitcher and claimed Vicki cost him a no-hitter when she pulled up to one of his games in his car with the other cheerleaders. He wouldn’t say whether it was seeing her or worrying about her driving his car that made him lose his concentration.
He always wanted to go into law enforcement and especially wanted to be an Idaho State Policeman. He decided the Air Force would give him a good start. He enlisted for 4 years and joined the Air Police. He went to Lackland AFB San Antonio, Texas for basic training then came home to marry Vicki. They were married Sept. 15, 1962 in Emmett. 19 days later he left for Okinawa for 18 months, leaving his young bride at home.
When he returned they moved to Hampton, Virginia where he was stationed at Langley AFB.
When he was discharged from the Air Force they moved back to Emmett. They drove home pulling a uhaul trailer. It was a 5 day trip. They came through South Dakota and went past the sign saying Mount Rushmore was 30 miles off the road. Dave would not detour to go see it because he was headed home. Vicki never let him forget that she didn’t get to see Mount Rushmore. Last year they finally took a trip to see it. He had to admit it was well worth seeing.
Dave got a job with the Emmett Police Dept while he was waiting to get on the Idaho State Police. That happened a year later in 1967. His first assignment with ISP was at the Cotterell port of entry near Burley.
Dave got his first police car and went on the road in 1969. His assignment was in Lewiston.
They moved to Kamiah in 1972 where he was the resident officer. He was the only officer for miles along the Clearwater & Lochsa rivers. They loved their time in Kamiah. They built a log house from a kit and Dave hand split all the cedar shakes for it.
It was during this time in Kamiah that Dave joined the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day Saints. He was baptized by Vicki’s dad on the same day their son, Todd, was baptized. They traveled to the Idaho Falls Temple to be sealed for eternity as a family June 22, 1974.
He was offered a promotion to Sgt. In 1979 and the family moved to Shelley.
Dave retired from ISP in 1998 after 32 years. He still felt the desire to serve so he ran for Sheriff of Bingham County in 2004.
He served 2 terms there, retiring for the second time in 2012.
He enjoyed his time as sheriff and loved the good people he worked
with. But his real love was the Idaho State Police. He wore the uniform with pride and expected those he supervised to do the same.
He was tough but fair with those he supervised.
He never did anything halfway. Whether it was his job, his church callings, or taking care of his yard.
He held many church callings, Elders Quorum president, Sunday School President, High Councilman, Bishop, and 1st counselor in the Shelley South Stake presidency. He served as Bishop a second time at BYU-Idaho for 3 ½ years. He and Vicki loved serving with those young college students. They still keep in touch with many.
He enjoyed fishing, playing golf, and working in his yard. He took pride in doing things right, whether it was catching the biggest fish, beating his son at golf, or having a beautiful yard. He was not the most gracious winner. The family would not play Monopoly with him because he always bragged that he couldn’t be beaten.
He had a distinguished 45 year career in law enforcement but his most prized accomplishment was the good family he had. He always felt he had been truly blessed.
He is survived by his wife of 61 years, Vicki, and his children Todd(Erika) Johnson of Idaho Falls, Tina (Brent) Davis of Shelley, Troy (Melissa) Johnson of Meridian, and Tara Johnson of Idaho Falls. He is survived by 15 grandchildren and 6 great grandchildren as well as his niece, Cynthia Gorino of Emmett and brother, Jerry (Donna) Hoopes of Kamiah.
He was preceded in death by his parents and his 3 siblings.
The family would like to thank Dr Brad Adams and the staff at Teton Cancer Institute for all their help as well as One Source Hospice.
Funeral services will be Monday, Nov 27, 2023 at 11:00AM at the Shelley South Stake Center 675 S. Milton, Shelley, Id. The family will meet with friends Sunday, Nov 26 at Nalder Funeral Home 110 W. Oak in Shelley from 6-8:30PM and again on Monday prior to services from 10:00-10:45AM at the church. Burial will be in the Taylor Cemetery with military rites.
Those who would like to participate in the funeral service remotely are invited to view the service on a live broadcast at https://www.shelleysouthstake.org/wards/7th/
