Eric Nephi Johnson was born February 6, 1958 to Calvin and Anna Johnson of Kanab.  He passed away at home on September 14, 2018.  Eric was known as a Hometown Hero due to his superior athletic abilities in Football, Basketball, and Track.  After graduating from Kanab High School, he received a full-ride scholarship to play football at the University of Utah. He served a full time mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in the Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania Mission.

Shortly after his mission, Eric was married in the St. George temple and started his family as he finished his degree in Political Science and Economics at the University of Utah.  Eric built a life for his family through his work as a commercial real estate appraiser.  He also served as the Kane County Assessor for a number of years.  He was a faithful member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and served multiple callings including the Elders’ Quorum President of the Cedar View Ward and the Kanab Fifth Ward.

Eric will be remembered for his ability to make people smile and laugh through jokes, stories and his incredible musical talent.  He was beloved by his family and enjoyed spending every minute with his kids and grandkids.  Their interests became his interests, and he quickly became an expert in video games, dance rehearsals, role-playing, songwriting, and anything else his kids were doing.  His interest and encouragement instilled confidence in his children to pursue their talents and goals.  He helped his daughters create and practice dance routines before future performances.  He was also a great Little League Football coach, sharing his love for the sport with his two sons and all the boys who played for him.  His influence and example is still remembered by many.  Later in life, Eric worked as an entertainer for the Little Hollywood Movie Museum and loved fulfilling his role bringing people together and making them laugh and smile.

Eric lived a full life and traveled the world.  He knew and loved people all over the state of Utah from his travels as a commercial appraiser.  He moved back to Kanab in 2008 and was able to be there for both his mother and his father when they passed.  Eric is preceded in death by his brother (Richard), mother (Anna), and father (Calvin). He is survived by his four children; Josh, Joel (Ashlyn), Anna, and Erica (Michael), and his three grandchildren; Kai, Jaxon, and Emery, Siblings; Jeff (Mary) Johnson, Carolyn (Van) Sawyer, Que (Karla) Johnson, and Juli (Kent) Brinkerhoff, and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

A Funeral Service for Eric was held on Saturday, September 22, 2018 at 11:00 am at the Kanab 5th Ward Chapel.  He was buried in the Kanab Cemetery next to his parents.