Mark Luther Johnson, beloved husband, father, grandfather, went to be with the Lord, on Friday October 4th, 2024. Mark was a man of faith in the Gospel. He believed that, “if any man be in Christ, he is a new creation” (2 Corinthians 5:17).
Mark was born in Helena, Montana on July 29th, 1954 to Wesley and Doloris “Lori” Johnson. Mark spent his childhood on the Wes Johnson Dairy with his brother, Mike, and sisters, Dianne, and Debbie. Life on the family dairy was constant work and constant play. Mark grew up operating hay swathers, balers. When they were not working, the siblings made pets out of skunks and foxes that Mark caught with his butterfly net.
At the dairy, Mark built a model A engine in his bedroom. The only problem then, was how to get the engine out of the bedroom, down the steep stairs, and back outside. Happily, the engine survived the trip thanks to lifelong friend Brian Patzer.
Mark graduated from Helena High School in 1972. He furthered his education at trade school, earning a mechanic’s certificate. Mark went on to build award winning hot-rods, often sourced from family trips to South Dakota.
Mark first met Kathy (Songer) on April 7th, 1979 in Helena. The two were the envy of any dance floor. They officially married on March 21st, 1986. Mark affectionately referred to their anniversary date as “three, two, one, the countdown.” In all, Mark and Kathy spent over 45 years as best friends. Mark spoke of his health recoveries being possible thanks to his soul mate’s loving support. Mark seldom came home from town without a fountain pop or a coffee for Kathy to let her know he was thinking of her.
Gold became an interest for Mark in the 1980’s. Ever the hard worker, Mark developed a knack for building gold recovery systems and finding the precious metal. Mark also enjoyed metal detecting and discovered many gold nuggets, even a monumental 6.5 oz gold nugget. In his Bible, he marked the verse “How much better is it to get wisdom than gold!”
In 1996, God gave Mark and Kathy the “greatest joy of their life,” a daughter, who they named Jessica. Mark took his only child on daily 4-wheeler rides around the home property and played his guitar to get her to fall asleep. Mark was an encouraging and supportive father, patiently passing on his many life skills.
During his ten + years of cancer treatments, God gave Mark miracles of healing that he gladly shared with others, in hopes of providing encouragement and strengthening their faith. He was always grateful for more time to live the life he so loved.
In 2020, Mark’s grandson, Dean, was born and the family tradition of fun rides around the property continued. “Grandpa Johnson” gave warm hugs to his loved ones. Dean declared group hugs with his Grandpa to be the “big squeeze”. Whatever Mark’s daughter or grandson took an interest in – hunting, ponies, or toy trains – Mark lent his many talents to help make it happen.
Mark was a gifted musician. One day, a band mate found a paper with lyrics in Mark’s guitar case. The bandmate called the radio station and asked to have the song played, but the DJ couldn’t find it. He then tried to ask Mark what famous band the song was written by, and discovered that the song was Mark’s original work. In his later years, music became Mark’s ministry. He wrote gospel songs to share his Christian faith. Some of his most cherished times were playing guitar and singing with his daughter and friends at Last Chance Chapel.
Mark was blessed with an exceptional ability to see the potential in something. An old car body rusting in a field, turned into a stunning hot rod. A few words of a sermon turned into a song. A raw piece of property turned into a beautiful home. No matter what he was working on, Mark brought creativity, persistence, and perhaps most importantly, a good sense of humor.
This ability to see potential also extended to people. Mark had a generous spirit. He was always helping to get tools, equipment, and encouragement into the hands of friends and family who he believed in.
Mark’s presence brought joy and inspiration everywhere he went, from church services, to weekly family dinners. Mark’s faith was steadfast. His commitment to his family enduring. Mark will be greatly missed.
Matthew 25:21 “Well done thou good and faithful servant… enter thou into the joy of thy Lord.”
Mark is proceeded in death by his parents: Wesley and Deloris “Lori” Johnson, brother Mike Johnson, and God-daughter Paula Heide.
He is survived by his wife, Kathy Johnson, daughter Jessica Johnson, Grandson Dean Johnson-Plancich, sister Dianne (Leonard) Vanek, sister Debbie (Brian) Patzer, Mother-in-law Madeline Songer, and numerous beloved extended family members.
A celebration of life will be held on Saturday October 19th at 1 p.m. at Last Chance Chapel in Helena, Montana.
Donations can be sent to Kathy Johnson/Valley Bank where a memorial fund has been established. Please make all checks payable to Kathy Johnson or Valley Bank. The memo line should read as: FBO Dean Plancich.
Service Schedule
Celebration of Life
1:00 p.m.
Saturday October 19, 2024
Last Chance Chapel
6240 Raven Rd
Helena, MT 59602
Service Schedule
Celebration of Life
1:00 p.m.
Saturday October 19, 2024
Last Chance Chapel
6240 Raven Rd
Helena, MT 59602
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Chryl l Poore says
I remember fondly all my time I spent out on the dairy farm. Never a dull moment as Mark was always full of shenanigans. The egg and water fights and me always ending up the bum of some joke or scientific folly…lol. The time you brought home the darling little kits from the den you had been scoping out and the curly kittens that you convinced me were the product of the hired hands poodle…mating with a barn cat. You were always so convincing and I believed every rotten word.
I wouldn’t trade any special memories for all the cow eggs in Montana!
I’ll see you again sweet cousin…you rest up now…cuz I’m smarter now…
and when I get to heaven…well we’ll just see!
Kathy and Jessica…my heart and hope go out to you and pray Our Lord will enfold you in His strength and wisdom.
You have many special memories to touch upon and he will always live in your hearts until the Lord brings us all together. What a blessed day that will be. God bless and all my love!
Steve Wong says
An open letter to Mark. Years ago we were great friends. A common interest in old cars led us down many roads. Some hairy trips from South Dakota with trailer loads of old car bodies, the improvised quarter mile on Masonic Home road, a trip to jail for trying to chase down some bottle throwing bad guys. Crowded in a little shop, you accidently (I think) set my hair on fire welding a chopped top on a 34 Ford. I admired your guitar playing, your jitterbugging, your welding, your laugh, and most of all i admired how you stood by your convictions. You fought a tough fight these past years, and now you have won. Godspeed my friend.
Ed Starke says
Mark, you were a great neighbor and friend. Your nose for gold was unrivaled. I will always remember your smile and quiet generosity. You were truly a good man.
Shelley parmer says
Sorry to hear about Mark.
Prayers and hugs to all of you
Shannon Schneider says
I grew to know Mark as a customer of ours in the auction world. What a wonderful man. No matter what he had going on with his health, he was the first to ask how you were doing. He remembered my name after our first meeting. I would enjoy getting to catch up with him at each auction viewing or ending. I am honored to have met him and the world needs more Marks. My condolences to you all. Mark was a truly wonderful human being!