Wayne Johnson (Wayne Richards)

WAYNE R. JOHNSON "WAYNE RICHARDS" OAHU, HI -- Wayne Richard Johnson, 54, of Idaho Falls, our loving and beloved husband, father, son, brother, friend, and broadcaster passed away September 21, 2008. He was snorkeling off Kahe Point Beach, west of Honolulu, and drowned. He was surrounded by his immediate family as he passed on. Wayne was born November 24, 1953, in Burley, Idaho, to Lyle and Helen Jensen Johnson. He will live on through his wife, Teresa, his son, Nicholas, his daughter, Jodee, son-in-law, Rob, granddaughter, Avery, daughter, Stacy, son-in-law, Sean, granddaughter, Quincy, sisters, Ilene and Linda, brother, Jerry, his large extended family, and his many devoted friends and listeners. He will be greatly missed by all. Wayne loved playing the drums. He was an Eagle Scout. He was a talented artist, always sketching on scraps of paper. Wayne learned carpentry from his father, and became a skilled craftsman. He played football for the Burley Bobcats and was the student body president before graduating in 1972. He attended BYU for a year and was then called to serve a full-time mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, speaking French in Montreal, Quebec. Upon his return, he continued his studies at Brigham Young University. In 1976, he began a 32 year career as a radio announcer. He married his wife, Teresa Williams, in the Salt Lake LDS Temple in the spring of 1977. Wayne loved Teresa. He was a faithful member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, and gave service in many church callings. He was a great supporter of and was active in the Boy Scouts of America for many years. He served as a teacher many times to youth and adults, twice as a Bishop's counselor, as Bishop of the Idaho Falls Cedar Ridge Ward, and on the Idaho Falls South Stake High Council. In 1987, Wayne and his family made Idaho Falls their home. For the next 21 years he was heard on KLCE radio. Wayne loved to interact with the listeners of his show at live remote broadcasts and at civic functions. He made everyone feel that they were his friend and selflessly gave of his time and energy, always willing to give to community events, fundraisers, and benefits. Many afternoons and evenings Wayne smiled as he walked the green fairways, and sometimes the rough, of our city golf courses. He enjoyed the camaraderie and challenge of golfing, and sharing that time with his good friends – old and new – on the links. Wayne spent countless hours each spring producing the Melaleuca Freedom Celebration for the 4th of July fireworks in Idaho Falls because he so loved his country and Southeast Idaho. Most importantly, Wayne was a wonderful husband, father, and grandfather. His laughter was infectious. His heartfelt humor was appreciated by all those who loved and listened to him. He was always gracious, always humble. Our family has read your comments and felt your prayers on our behalf. We are grateful to have had him in our lives and that he was able to touch so many others also. We love Wayne and will miss him, until we see him again. Funeral Services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, September 27, 2008, at the Idaho Falls LDS North Stake Center, 955 Memorial Drive, with Bishop Richard Stewart of the 31st Ward officiating. The family will visit with friends Friday from 6 to 8:30 p.m. at Wood Funeral Home East Side, 963 South Ammon Road, and Saturday from 10 to 10:45 a.m. at the church. Burial will follow the services under the direction of Wood Funeral Home. --------------------------------------------- Condolences received online: Tanya tjlalban@msn.com We will miss that wonderful, compassionate voice that we look so forward to in our freedom celebration and throughout the year. He has been an integral part of eastern Idaho. May his spirit remain strong in your lives here on earth. Hilary Kimbro I will miss hearing him on the radio. Ron Barrett snowmobile2us@yahoo.com You are all in my thoughts and prayers. Wayne will greatly be missed and we will surely miss hearing his voice on the radio each morning and every freedom celebration from here on out. God bless all of the Johnson family and the KLCE family. Eva Thank you for sharing a wonderful man with us, may God bless your family, he will be greatly missed by all of us who didn't know him but listened to him every morning! May you find peace in your hearts! Kent Fletcher wkf@pmt.org As a member of Wayne's high school graduating class, I'd like to express my condolences to Wayne's family on his premature and untimely death. Wayne was a great guy and the Burley High School Class of 1972 will miss our student body president. Jack & Debbie Johnson jackj@pcu.net Dear Family: We have known your husband and father for 47 Years in Burley Idaho & Logan Utah. We went to school with him thru his school years. Jack was one of his roommates at BYU in Provo. Wayne was the one who dressed the best but never had his bed made in the dorm, he loved his peanut butter and honey sandwiches, (even when Jack & Ron put the honey in the freezer to get Wayne's reaction). We laughed when he took the ridges off his potato chips before he ate them. He always told Jack that he loved his singing (Jack sings very Professional). (If you need a musical number, please feel free to call us). We have very fond memories of your dad and husband. He was always so nice and respectful to others. Jack worked with Wayne at KBLQ in Logan for many years. (In fact, Wayne was the one who brought us to Utah 24 years ago to KBLQ. When Jack heard Monday over the radio -- KBLQ -- about Wayne, he went over to talk to Kent Frandson and others at the station. They reminisced about a lot of fun times. Jack got on the phone and called many of our classmates in the Burley area, we have all felt a great loss of our dear friend. May God Bless your families. We love you and are honored to have known Wayne in our lives. We will be to the funeral. Love & Hugs, Jack & Debbie Johnson, Nibley, Utah Reed and Melanie Hanni hanni740@yahoo.com May Heaven's choicest blessing be with your family. Reed and Melanie Hanni Listen With Your Heart Memories are a treasure Time cannot take away… So may you be surrounded By happy ones today… May all the love and tenderness Of special years well spent Come back today to fill your heart With beauty and content… And may you walk down MEMORY LANE And meet the one you love For while you cannot see him He’ll be watching from above… And if you trust you’re dreaming Your faith will make it true… And if you listen with your heart He’ll come and be with you… So for his sake be happy And show him that his love Has proven strong and big enough To reach down from above… And you will never walk alone When Memory’s Door swings wide… For you’ll find that you’re dear One. Is always by your side. by Helen Steiner Rice Suzanne (Packer) Mickelsen Zann10@msn.com My husband and I grew up in the Idaho Falls area, but have since moved to the Boise area. The majority of both of our families still lives there (in the Idaho Falls area), so we visit there OFTEN ~ mostly on weekends of course, (monthly if not, more) and holidays, etc. I don't think there was a DAY that went by without listening to KLCE when we were there. And of course, we NEVER missed a Melaleuca Freedom Celebration with Wayne! That was like a family TRADITION with us! We also enjoyed listening to the "Sounds of Sunday" with him, as we usually were leaving Idaho Falls to travel back home. It's funny, when you hear his name, you just automatically KNOW and remember his voice! It's like you can hear him talking right now. The exact tone, how he talked, what he talked about, how he listened to listeners ~ you just remember without thinking about it. He had such a great vast audience -> even his FANS from out-of-town! He affected the lives of many people like us in such a positive way! We will always remember Wayne, his legacy, and his contribution to all society. We will miss you, Wayne! Thanks for sharing your memories with us! =) Carol & Rodger Jensen We feel Wayne was a part of our family . . . our hearts are sad, too. May you feel joy in all the memories, peace in every day, hope in every hour, a hand to hold on to and the knowledge that you will never walk alone. May Heavenly Father wrap His loving arms around all of you through this storm, until the sun comes out again and the rainbow appears and you will know all is well with Wayne. The Fullmer's We send our heartfelt thoughts to you and your family at this time of lose in your lives. May your love for Wayne and each other get you through the next few days and in the days to follow. The Fullmer's Mike Hammond I remember Wayne from the early 80's and getting the "Sounds for Sunday" program on KVNU in Logan. He had a great voice and demeanor on the radio. I will miss him. John and Barbara Rawlins jkrbgr@gmail.com Teresa and family -- We are in Beaverton, Oregon, to attend our granddaughters baptism on Saturday. We wish we could be there to lend our support. We extend our condolences and sympathy. We will miss him greatly as a friend and our gospel doctrine teacher. Jason & Katie Bench katie_bench@msn.com What a fitting tribute for a man like Wayne. He will be greatly missed by his many listeners! Wayne gave me my start in radio many years ago, and I considered him an incredible mentor. Though I no longer work in radio it is still a hobby thanks in part to the many things Wayne taught me. Our thoughts & prayers are with your family. Jason & Katie Bench (Blackfoot, ID) Sarah Logue and Tina B. logusr@amwtp.inl.gov Nic, we are so sad to hear about your dad. Our thoughts are with you and your family. Dr. Walter & Eileen Petersen, Burley wyepetersen@gmail.com We were so sad to read about Wayne's passing this morning in the Times News. Wayne was one of Bishop Petersen's great Aaronic Priesthood boys back in the 1970s. We send our condolences to his eternal sweetheart and his forever family. We just talked with his brother, Jerry, on Sept. 26 at Bill Mendenhall's funeral, lamenting that age 57 was way too young to go. And now you have lost Wayne at age 54! Someday we may understand why they need these outstanding young men in heaven. Thank heavens for the Lord's Merciful Plan of Salvation that we know families can be together forever. Love, Walt & Eileen Petersen, Burley, Idaho Adrian Orme adrian_thejet@hotmail.com I'm sorry to hear of the passing of your father, husband and friend. My thoughts and prayers are with your family. I hope you take comfort in knowing that the Lord is mindful of you and that His eternal plan will bring joy and happiness to your family. Russ Wood I sure will miss his soothing voice. My daddy died on October 25 of 2000 in Hawaii while scuba diving, and I immediately felt your pain when I heard. God Bless you. Pam and Denny Fillmore We are saddened at your loss. We will always remember his kindness and knowledge of the gospel to share with us. Lauri Carpenter I have had the opportunity of meeting Wayne. He helped me when my car broke down and he was so considerate of my nervousness. He paid for all the repairs to get me on my way – I have always been so appreciative of his kindness and consideration. He has many qualities that are a good heritage to his family. I am sorry for your loss and I hope the Lord will hold you in the palm of His hand and pour out the blessings that you are going to need in the coming days as you deal with your grief. Warren and Lily Bell warrlily@pmt.org Teresa, I don't think we have ever met you, but we are Larry Bell's parents and know that you have lost a great person and husband in your life. Wayne's parents used to live near my mother's home and then they moved into the Seventh Ward and that's when Larry, Wayne and Russell Taylor got to be such great buddies. We are saddened by your loss, and hope you know of our sympathy for your family. Just a note, Warren's sister is Melba Yost, and she spoke highly of you both. Sending our love for you and your family, Warren and Lily Bell - Burley, Idaho Kerry Robbins kryrobb@yahoo.com We will always remember the cars starting up at 5 in the morning. We will remember Wayne out mowing the lawn with his headset on. He taught us much in the Gospel Doctrine Class. We will surely miss such a dynamic person. May the Lord Bless and uphold you during your trials ahead. Linda Carter Beck carterbeck@q.com I am so sorry for your loss & know that Wayne will be greatly missed. I've known Wayne since he started at KLCE - working with him on various promotions while I worked at KPVI & KIDK. He was so professional, kind hearted and a pleasure to be around, and I can't think of anyone in our area that won't miss that wonderful voice. Our thoughts are with you, Linda Carter Beck Blake Priest judasp1@hotmail.com Johnson Family, I was saddened to hear about your dad and husband. I saw him at the fair and I didn't recognize him without his hair. He was a great person. I am glad I had the chance to meet him. Remember all the good times you had with him.