Debra Lynn Johnson Officer’s health took a sharp turn Dec. 23, 2013 when she was diagnosed with stage four cancer. She was transferred to McKay-Dee Hospital in Ogden for treatment. There she became an angel on Saturday, Jan. 11, 2014.
She was born in Torrance, Calif. to Ruth and Ken Johnson on March 22, 1960. She attended Vista High until 1977. She then moved to Moab where she graduated from Grand County High School in 1978.
She was married to Kent Officer in 1979. They had two daughters: Tabitha and Brooke. Debra and Kent later divorced.
Debra studied business at the Utah State University and earned an associate’s degree in business management from College of Eastern Utah. She proudly worked beside her father Ken Johnson for the low income residents through the Grand County Housing Authority.
She most recently worked at the Christmas Box House with the Family Support Center and as a night clerk at La Quinta Inn.
She received special recognition and achievement awards for successfully implementing the first self-help home program in Utah. She also obtained and administered grants and loans in excess of $6 million from federal, state and local entities for homeless prevention and low income housing programs.
Debra loved all animals, especially St. Bernards. She worked at the Moab Humane Society and diligently wrote grants to receive money for their cause. She was even giving in death as an organ donor.
She will be forever remembered by her two daughters Brooke and Tabitha, her loving sisters Cindy Day and Kristin Millis, and also her treasured grandchildren Brenden and Azurah, with two more grandchildren on the way.
Debra touched the lives of many as she was always there to serve. She received endowments at the Manti Temple was a proud member of the LDS church. She was also inspired to attend Via De Christo Christian retreat by her sister Cindy Day.
She was preceded in death by her father Ken Johnson and nephews Eric Day and Zachary Taylor.
Services will be held at 4 p.m. at the Moab LDS Stake Center at 701 Locust Lane. A viewing for friends and family will be held between 2 and 4 p.m. before the services. The burial will be 11 a.m., Monday, Jan. 20 at at the Castle Valley Cemetery.
