Maurice Johnson (Maury) or Pop as most of the kids called him, passed away peacefully on March 9, 2025, at the age of 85. He was surrounded by his wife Carolyn and loving family members.

Born in a manger (because it was too cold for the cars to start) on April 8, 1939, in Bassano, Alberta, Canada, he was the first child of Leon Johnson and Helen Marie Stead. His Brother Wayne would follow two years later. From a young age, Pop was involved in baseball, football, hockey and rodeo. Becoming very proficient in these activities, and according to him even better than that!

Pop was a very hard worker who had many careers throughout his life. Although he was born and raised in Canada, he eventually found his way to the United States. In his younger years he held a job as a pharmaceutical salesman, then eventually changing gears to become the head of the Water reclamation and sewer division of Salt Lake City. He eventually moved into sales again for a number of large environmental/reclamation companies. Later in life he bought his own "big rig" semi-truck and drove it for several years. Aside from this he also was a proficient musician. He played a mean bass guitar and was in a country music cover band with his cousins in the 70s.

He was a beloved brother, husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather, uncle and friend who cherished his family above all else. He loved to tell his "stories" to all who would listen. Over time the stories got bigger and more grandeur with each telling. Pop loved to talk; his favorite subject was his large extended family. On many occasions when one of his sons would be out with him, he would tell whoever would listen that there were 6 boys at home. Usually following up by stating jokingly "see what I have to go through". He loved to tell or listen to jokes, many times being the butt of the joke if it originated from one of his boys.

Pop loved being married, so much so that he walked down the aisle more than a few times. He finally met Carolyn, and they spent the next 41 years together. He is survived by his wife Carolyn, and his sons James Johnson (Rosy), John Johnson (Lana), Brett Ward, Mike Ward, Eric Ward (Rebecca) and 13 grandchildren and 13 great grandchildren and his favorite (and only) brother Wayne (Diana). He was preceded in death by his parents, Leon and Helen Johnson, son Rodger Ward (April) and grandson Skyler Dale Ward (son of Mike Ward).

A memorial service to celebrate Maury's life will be held on April 19,2025 in Tulsa, Oklahoma. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to any charity of your choosing in his honor.

May his soul rest in eternal peace, and may his memory be a blessing to all who knew and loved him.