Ellis Adrian (Rocky) Johnson

96, Passed away after a lengthy illness with his loved ones by his side Tuesday evening June, 18

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2013. He was born November 8th, 1916 on a dairy farm southwest of Chandler Arizona.  He was the second child born to Joseph W. Johnson and Delpha Lundquist Johnson.

Ellis graduated from Chandler High school where he excelled in sports.  He was awarded a football scholarship to BYU.  His education was cut short due to WWII and marriage.

While in the service in 1944 during WWII he received his wings as a fighter pilot and later transferred to George Patton’s 3

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Army in Europe where he participated in the liberation of France and also the evacuation of Buchenwald concentration camp.

While recuperating in Bushnell General Hospital, UT he learned to create his first Cabochons which sparked a long love of the Lapidary arts.

He is survived by his loving wife Gola (Dolly) of 66 years which he affectionately called his Pennsylvania chick (her home state).  They were sealed for time and all eternity in the Arizona Temple. He is also survived by his 5 children, Stephen Johnson (Joan), Jere Johnson (Dana), Kurt Johnson, Cheryl Johnson Wilcox (Roger), daughter Jeanette Arnold, 14 grandchildren, 26 great grandchildren, sister Loreen Ellsworth of CA, and brother Harold Johnson of UT.  He is predeceased by siblings Eula Walker, Forrell Johnson and Loren Johnson.

A viewing will be held at 9:30 AM – 10:30 AM with funeral services at 10:30 AM – 11:30 AM at the Camelview Ward LDS Church, 3920 N. 44

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Place, Phoenix, AZ on Friday June 28

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, 2013.  His final resting place is the Veterans National Memorial Cemetery of Arizona in Phoenix.

The Johnson family would like to give a special thanks to Hospice of the Valley for their exceptional care.  Donations can be made to Hospice of the Valley, The Muhammad Ali Foundation, and the Foundation for the Blind.