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He loved to teach his children and grandchildren how to fish.

Barry LeRoy Johnson passed away October 16, 2026, in Provo, Utah. Son of LeRoy Roundy Johnson and Marva Perkins Johnson. He was an only child. He had two half-sisters, Connie Jensen and Melody Beck. 

He grew up in Overton, Nevada where he had fun playing Tarzan in the trees, hunting Indian arrowheads, swimming at hot springs and enjoying many fun things with his cousins at Gold Butte. He attended Moapa Valley High School and was honored as the alumnus of the year 1971. After graduating from high school. he worked for the summer at the Nevada test site where he witnessed the atomic blast that was set off there. His best friend in high school was John Armstrong. They spent happy hours working on card and being Teens. 

Barry met Vira at BYU. Vira told him that one of her goals was to marry a returned missionary so if he wanted to marry her, he would need to go on a mission. He did and was called to the Northern California mission. He served for two years. When he returned, they were married on the 17th of August 1961 in the Salt Lake Temple by LeGrand Richards. 

Barry graduated from Brigham Young University with a master's degree. He planned to go on and get a doctorate, but BYU asked him if he would stay and teach and they would help pay for his schooling and he would have a job when he returned. So, Barry stayed. He then went to the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill to get his doctorate. After receiving his Doctorate in Philosophy, he went back to BYU and taught for thirty-four years in the Sociology and Social Work departments. He was an excellent teacher and spent many hours with the graduate students and others. They all loved him. 

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One of his favorite things was to tell others about his special ancestors.

He served as President of the Mental Health Association of Utah County for the year 1989 and received a plaque for the six years of devotion he worked with the Mental Health Association. 

Barry was a great hunter and fisherman. He loved to teach his children and grandchildren how to fish. 

He loved to garden and planted fruit trees and vegetables for all to eat. 

He was a member of the Cougar Club and loved the games at BYU.

He was asked to be the director of the Washington Seminar for BYU four different times. He and Vira loved the students and loved learning more about the government and great things in Washington D.C.

He was a member of the sons of the Utah pioneers. One of his favorite things was to tell others about his special ancestors. 

He and Vira enjoyed a family home evening group that met once a month. 

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He will miss everyone but will be waiting on the other side for the great day when we can all be together again.

Barry worked in the temple as an ordinance worker for twenty years. He loved the temple. Barry served three missions. One to California, one at the transient services in Provo with Vira and one with Vira in Nauvoo, Illinois. 

Barry served in many church positions and was called to be a Bishop at BYU over the 144th ward. Barry and Vira loved these students and are still friends with many of them. 

He enjoyed doing fun things with Neil and Merlene and John and Myrna, Vira's sisters. He loved beating them at Rook.

He was proceeded in death by his parents, grandparents, father and mother-in-law, Aunt Laura and many sounds and friends. 

Barry is survived by his wife Vira Ann Johnson, daughter LeAnn Michelle Johnson, son Barry Lynn Johnson (Brandi), daughter Cynthia Diane Lyons (Tom), 8 Grandchildren (Jason, Christopher, Steven, Megan, Meagan, Alexis, Rachel, Natalie), and 10 Great Grandchildren (Porter, Lyndie, Curtis, Emmett, Delilah, Theodore, Maddie, Emmie, James Jason, and one on the way. 

He thanks everyone for their wonderful love and friendships and for the many blessings he has received and learned from each of you through the years. He will miss everyone but will be waiting on the other side for the great day when we can all be together again. 

Funeral services will be Saturday, October 24, 2026 at 11 am in the Sharon 8th Ward, 545 S 800 E, Orem. Family and friends may visit at the church Friday evening from 6-8pm or Saturday from 9:30-10:30 am. Interment will be in Spanish Fork City Cemetery. 

A webcast of the service will be available at www.walkersanderson.com where memories and condolences may also be shared.