Lonnie Johnson

Lonnie Kae Johnson, 61, of Safford, entered eternal rest on Thursday, December 24, 2020. He was born on September 26, 1959 in Worthington, Minnesota to Thomas and Karen Johnson. Lonnie attended Safford schools graduating from Safford High School in 1977. He loved the great outdoors and was most happy camping, fishing, and riding side by sides in the deserts outside of town and up the trails on Mount Graham with his friends and family. Those that knew Lonnie, knew that he not only was a big 'ole teddy bear, but was also the best salesman ever! He has sold most of this community a Polaris at one time or another. He was tried and true, he knew his side by sides like the back of his hand. Even if you weren't in the market for a new Polaris machine, at the end of the day, Lonnie had you convinced you needed one of the latest and greatest machines. His salesmanship brightly shown as he was the recipient of the "Top Gun Polaris Award" for 10 consecutive years, as the # 1 seller of all Polaris in the United States. If ever you needed anything, Lonnie was first in line to be there for you, regardless if it was day or night. He had a heart of gold, was kind, sweet, and most of all, always smiling. His smile and laughter were contagious. "Tomorrow hopes we have learned something from yesterday" and "A man's got to have a code; a creed to live by" were often repeated by Lonnie, quotes he tried to live by. A true gentle giant that will be greatly missed by so many friends and family. Lonnie is survived by his children, Alexa Johnson, Jonathan (Maggie) Johnson and Arianne Johnson (Chase) Weaver, his brothers, Timothy Johnson, Terry (Tami) Johnson, Shannon "Sis" Hancock and his 10 Grandchildren; Jalyn, Kyvan, Jennacee and Julian Johnson, Mathew Hernandez, Luz Hernandez III, Ryleigh, Hunter, Maci and Kelsi Weaver. He was preceded in death by his father Thomas Johnson, his mother Karen Johnson, his sister, Johanna Johnson, his paternal Grandparents, Cecil and Loraine Johnson and his maternal Grandparents Kenneth and Johanna Tioland. Graveside services will be held at 2 p.m. on Saturday, January 9, 2021 at Gila Valley Memorial Gardens, on Airport Road in Safford, Arizona.