Wayne Earl Johnson

Wayne Earl Johnson, age 71, died Friday, July 21, 2006, of a brief illness at the Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center in Idaho Falls. He was born in LaBelle, Idaho, August 26, 1934 to Lee Earl Johnson and Rosa Alice (Hutchens) Johnson. Wayne was raised in Rigby attending schools there and graduating from Rigby High School. Wayne married Beverly Jane Walters on May 7, 1954.They had two children Bradley Wayne Johnson (wife Charlie) of Rigby, and Jody Lee Moss (husband Larry) of Rock Springs, Wyoming. Beverly died May 13, 1986. Later Wayne married Sharon Collins she had four children, Johnny Collins (wife Judy) Brian Collins, (wife Dayle) of Rigby, Deborah Cricke, (husband Scotty) of Rigby and Lori Matsuura of Shelley. Sharon died on March 13, 1990. Wayne then married Gaye (Lemmon) Winger on March 29, 1991. Gaye has three children, Bart Winger of Idaho Falls, Tonia Peterson of Idaho Falls and Tami Darfler, (husband John) of Idaho Falls. With his combined families he had nine grandchildren including Dustin Johnson, Colby Moss, Lance Moss, Justin Flitton, Leksi Peterson, Brent Winger, Daniel Winger, Dylan Winger and Alex Foote. Wayne attended and graduated from the Idaho Police Officers Academy. He worked for the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Department for several years. He then worked at the INEL retiring in 1998 were he had worked as a maintenance supervisor. After retiring Wayne and Gaye would spend the winters in Lake Havasu City, Arizona and the summers at Henry’s Lake where he loved fishing the days away with his beloved wife as well as many friends and family. He had no greater joy than sharing all of his secret family recipes with his favorite granddaughter Leksi baking special goodies for grandma. Wayne and Gaye then made their home in Rigby where they enjoyed caring for Brad and Dustin’s race horses Dave and Barney. They recently moved to Idaho Falls where they resided at the time of his death. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, dancing, horses and chariot racing. Wayne was a member of the Elks Lodge in Idaho Falls. Wayne was preceded in death by his parents, two wives and 1 brother Dale. Graveside services will be held Wednesday, July 26, 2006 at 11:00 a.m. at the Annis Little Butte Cemetery, under direction of Eckersell Memorial Chapel in Rigby.