Grace Arlene Johnson's Obituary
Grace Arlene Johnson was born in Kamas, Utah on October 20, 1934. She was the first of 10 children brought into the world by James LeRoy and Belva Arlene Johnson.
Only a few months after she was born, she contracted pneumonia. At that time, it wasn’t simple to treat. She recovered, but then contracted Scarlet Fever at four months old! She had to be quarantined for many weeks, along with her parents. She rallied to overcome this serious malady too. About 1939 she was stricken with Rheumatic Fever. Her doctor said he’d never seen a child as sick as Grace get better. Maybe the physical and mental resilience and strength that manifested in Grace’s adult life stemmed from surviving these illnesses.
The family lived in Kamas until 1941, then moved to Murray, into her mom's family home. Grace graduated from Granite High School as a top-notch student. She learned shorthand and could type 100 Words per minute! She worked in the school office, her first official non-babysitting job. Her amazing secretarial skills helped her get several different and prestigious jobs in between College semesters and at other times as well.
At just 17 years old, she went to Stanford, completing two years there and enjoying an active social life while living with her wonderful Uncle Carlos. He kept his promise of paying for her first year if she kept her grades up and earned admittance to this fine school. Her world view expanded, she was active in campus life and interacted with many incredible students.
She never forgot home and family, and ended up leaving California and continuing her studies at the University of Utah. While in Salt Lake again, she worked for sculptor Avard Fairbanks; another of many famous and highly influential people who trusted and relied on her.
In writing about her life, Grace said she was “…a woman of a new day of rights for women…free to make decisions for her own life." She added “I was confident that I could face new situations, adapt, and skilled enough to care for basic needs, both practical and emotional." Which didn’t mean she had anything against romance!
While attending the U of U, where she earned her English Teaching Certification in two years, she met and subsequently married William Roylance on August 2, 1957. Bill was a part-time inventor and author, and loved travel as she did. Together they planned and made an amazing attempt to ride across the world on Motor Scooters!
Fuji Corp (not the camera company) sponsored them and provided two scooters for their start in Japan. They left on New Year’s Eve, drove to San Francisco, then flew to Hawaii and across the Pacific.
They rode across Japan; then boated the scooters across the ocean and continued through China; Korea; Thailand, Burma and Laos; through India and to Pakistan; across Afghanistan’s Kaiber Pass and more.
While waiting for permission to traverse Turkey, Grace got sick, and they had to head home. A book about these 10 months in 1959 became a dream. She self-printed a partial version for family and was working on a much more detailed version to be completed posthumously.
After the return home, she and Bill parted ways. Sad about that, she threw herself into finishing her bachelor’s degree. For this she went to BYU for two years to earn her BA in Asian Studies.
Her adventures, travel and escapes from peril are legendary. Not just her famous “Honeymoon Around the World.” She made a partial list of over 30 different states and countries she had visited. Within this list are multiple, additional places that increases that number.
As Grace made further travels, teaching English and working in a variety of occupations. she married and later divorced Ron Gorringe.
She served the community as a member of the Lion’s Club and volunteered for other activities as well.
In her autobiography, she wrote “I like to believe that what I’ve learned which is of value goes with me in another life or existence and those I love will not be forever lost to me, even after my death.” Then added “I will not apologize for the life I have lived.” She lived life on her terms. Recently asked what in her life was the most important thing, she answered “learning.” She spent many years teaching English in remote places, Alaska and on the Navajo reservation. She taught in Texas as well and was one of the teachers that could captivate her students.
She is survived by sisters: Dixie Lynn Johnson, Janis Smith, Sheri West and Vicki Dunnigan and her brother John Carlos Johnson. Preceded in death by her parents James and Belva Johnson, and sisters Darlene, Joyce and Donna and brother Kenneth.
There will be a memorial service at noon Saturday in the Relief Society room of the LDS Chapel located at 1078 South McClelland in Salt Lake City. Cremation services provided by Premier Funeral Services of Midvale.
What’s your fondest memory of Grace?
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Share a story where Grace's kindness touched your heart.
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