Poppy
By: Cassie Peck
My Great Grandfather's full name was Albert LeRoy Johnson. My dad and siblings called him Poppy. Poppy was born on February 27, 1898 and died May 5, 1982. Poppy was born and raised on a farm in Morgan, Utah. Ever since I can remember I have heard stories from my parents about what a GREAT person he was. My parents always told me that they think Poppy picked me out in heaven. Poppy had died before I was born.
Poppy was married to Virginia Hammond Johnson who was born on December 12, 1908 and died on July 11, 1986. They had three children who were named: Dorothy Elene ( which is my grandma), Aaron LaMont (who died in August 1990), and Blaine Albert (who died in August 2002)
Poppy loved animals. He told a story that he would walk behind the plow everyday, all day. When the sun was setting, he'd go back to the barn to feed and brush the horses for the night. He would then walk 4 miles to bring the cows home. Everyone would ask him why he didn't ride a horse on the way back home. He would answer, "because the horses were too tired from pulling the plow all day"
Poppy was baptized in Lake Como before it became dangerous. The lake was full of moss! Poppy told everyone that when they lifted him out of the water he was wearing a green moss swimming cap!
Once my Uncle Blaine decided that he would dig a hole 24 ft. in diameter by 3 ft. deep to make an above ground swimming pool. Blaine didn't have a back-hoe so he did it by hand. He asked Poppy if he could help him dig. Poppy agreed and started digging. Blaine got tired about an hour after starting and decided to take a break. Blaine asked Poppy if he wanted to stop but he said "no" and kept working till the hole was deep enough and done.
Poppy taught Sunday School at his church meetings. On the first day of being ordained as a Sunday school teacher, Poppy walked in to his class and a girl said, " Oh Brother LeRoy! I'm glad your our teacher! I thought they were going to send someone old!" At the time Poppy was pretty old!
Once Poppy decided to take his Sunday school class to Yellowstone National Park. Poppy took Nanny (who is Poppy's wife), and 16-19 year olds. The boys and Poppy were going to sleep on the while Nanny and the girls slept in a tent. In thee truck were some fruit that they could eat. Poppy told the story the he remembers waking up at night and could hear something or someone. He turned around to find a bear eating his fruit. If he had woken up Nanny, she would have freaked out!
When Poppy was little he would have to wake up early to milk the cows. Back then there was only a stove to warm you and your family. Sometimes his bare hands would stick to the door knob because it was WAY cold!
Poppy as a child would always get homesick if he was away from home more that a few hours. He said on the Fourth of July celebration held each year in town square he would have to slip away from the celebration and go home to walk around the homestead.
Poppy was in World War 1 as a medic. He was stationed at USAC in Logan. It was at that time when the Spanish Influenza was passing around throughout the would, killing tons of people. Poppy said that there were men in beds, on the floor, lying on library tables, both in the library and the Old Main building. The men were stacked deep and "dying like flies!" Though Poppy never go Influenza. He served for 2 1/2 months.
Poppy was a handy-man and loved to build scenery for road shows. He cared about people! He liked planning parties for his classes and relatives. Poppy was either singing, whistling or laughing. But lets just say he had a quick temper but got over it fast!
I have learned so much about Poppy from all his GREAT stories. He was a great guy, and over all was probably a great grandpa!
THE END!!! Hope you enjoyed it!
2 comments:
I loved that. Thanks for sharing. I learned some new things.
This was fun to read. Reminded me of hearing the stories straight from Poppy and Nanny. You did great!!
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