Joan Davis Johnson

Joan Davis Johnson, 89, passed away peacefully March 26, 2023, in Mesa, Arizona, surrounded by her loving husband and children. Joan was born October 15, 1933, in Mesa, Arizona. She was the second of seven children born to Mason and Eva Ipsen Davis.

Joan was baptized in the historic Salt Lake City Tabernacle when her family lived in Salt Lake City for two of her grade-school years. Her sisters were her favorite childhood friends. After moving back to Mesa, they enjoyed swimming at Mesa’s “Rendezvous” pool, and dancing at the “Mezona.” Joan also enjoyed church youth activities like camping and tubing at Saguaro Lake. Her dearest friend, Donna Millett, lived with the Davis family to attend high school and Seminary. Joan attended the Mesa Public Schools, serving as Student Body Vice-President, and graduating from Mesa High in 1951 as Valedictorian.

Joan loved life. She adored her husband and children. Her greatest joy was being a wife and mother. Joan met her future husband, Egon, at a party held in his honor before he left for missionary service. They were married shortly after his return and began married life as college students. Joan cheered Egon through medical school and many moves during Army days, including a tour of Vietnam, before they settled back to Mesa. Theirs was a true lifelong love story, a beautiful example to their six children.

Blessed with many talents, Joan was an excellent teacher and a gifted musician and composer. She played the piano for college ballet classes at BYU. She also played violin with symphonies in Columbus, GA, and Snowflake, AZ, as well as viola with the Los Angeles Symphony Orchestra in the Hollywood Bowl. Music floated through her home, spreading hope, comfort, and love. Joan and family also hosted exchange students through the years.

Joan was a devoted member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and served faithfully in many callings, including Primary, Young Women, and Relief Society President. She loved being a missionary and sharing her testimony of Jesus Christ throughout her life. Joan served church missions while in high school on weekends at Ft. McDowell, playing a portable pump organ for worship services, and teaching Sunday School. She later served with her husband, Egon, in the Southwestern States, Argentina, and Colombia, where she served speaking Spanish in the Bogota Temple. Joan was lovely and beautiful in every way and was surrounded by a wide circle of family and friends all the days of her life.

She is survived by her sweetheart of 70 years, Egon Victor Johnson, and children: Michael (Wendy) Johnson; E. Kristy (Sterling, deceased) Tanner; Brent (Cheryl) Johnson; Laura (Dennis) Crandall; David (Tiffanie) Johnson; and Julie (Jason) Chaffetz. Joan’s siblings include Evangeline (Ray, deceased) Russell; Louise and Leo Kay, (both deceased); Bette (Larry, deceased) Lines; Karen (Russell) Flake; Mason and Betty Davis (both deceased); Michelle (Jim) LeCheminant. Her posterity includes 26 grandchildren and 42 great grandchildren.

Funeral service may be viewed online at https://zoom.us/j/97800515134

Arrangements by Bunker’s University Chapel, www.bunkerfuneral.com. Should this obituary appear anywhere but bunkerfuneral.com, please check our website for accurate details and service information.