Smith James “Bud” Johnson, 57, of Hillsboro, died on Tuesday, Sept. 2, 2014, at his home on Burr Ridge in the town of Forrest. He was born on, Sept. 24, 1956, to Marion and Bernice Johnson. Bud was a member of the Hillsboro High School Graduating Class of 1974. He was united in marriage to Anne Wilson Davis on Oct. 27, 2012 at Burr Wesleyan Church, Bud was a compassionate gentle man who treasured his family, outdoor adventures, football, and sharing his world with his wife. Bud, in fact, managed to visit all 50 states at one time or another. Over the years he called many places home as far and wide as California, Idaho, and Texas, but only had one true home which was the family farm near Hillsboro. Those of us that he leaves behind are so grateful that his last days and months were spent on the farm.
He was an early pioneer in the computer field, working at Western Digital, Skyworks, and National Semi-Conductor, among other companies in the computer chip industry. He finished his technical career as an instructor at the prestigious university, Cal-Tech, retiring in April of 2014. Although Bud was a quiet man, he spoke often of how honored he was to finish his career at such a reknowned institute.
Bud had a love of all things dairy. Earlier this summer, he fulfilled a longtime dream by returning to the family farm to reside permanently and raise dairy cows. He always took great pride in being raised on a farm and was a true example of how one can take a boy out of the farm but can never take the farm out of the boy.
He was a loving husband, brother and friend. He was particularly proud to be an uncle to several nieces and nephews and it was one of his greatest joys to be part of their lives.
He was survived by his wife Anne, two stepdaughters, Stephanie (Hugo) Lopez of Berkeley, CA and Tiffany (Frank) Nuwabi, of Foster City, CA; a brotherm Dr. Jonathan (Ruth) Johnson of New York; two sisters, Marcia (Chuck) Ellis, of Toledo, Ohio, & Dr. Ramona Johnson of Anaheim, CA; as well as several nephews and nieces: Keith (Lindsay) Johnson of Rochester, MN; Lynn (Ted) Gilbertson of Brooklyn, WI; Amanda, Jesse, and Jon Johnson, all of Anaheim, CA; Derek Ellis of Ft. Wayne, IN; Sean (Kayla) Ellis also from Ft. Wayne, IN; grandnieces & grandnephews, aunts, uncles, cousins, and other relatives and friends.
He was preceeded in death by his parents, Marion Butcher Johnson & Bernice Naomi (Rittenhouse) Johnson, and a brother Jesse Jo Johnson.
Funeral Services were held on Monday, Sept. 8, 2014, 11 a.m. at Burr Wesleyan Church, S1728 Co. Hwy V, in rural Hillsboro. Pastor Jason Kirkpatrick officiated. Burial was in the Forest Burr Ridge Cemetery. Relatives and friends called on Sunday, from 4-7 p.m.. at the Burr Wesleyan Church S1728 Co. Hwy V, Hillsboro, and at the church on Monday from 10 a.m. until the time of the service.
The family requests that memorials in Bud’s name be given to Compassion International P.O. Box 65000, Colorado Springs, CO 80962-9951
The Sonnenburg Family Funeral Home assisted the family with the arrangements. Online condolences may be sent to www.sonnenburgfamilyfh.com
