Roy Johannsen

Burley-Roy Ray Johannsen, formerly of Burley, Idaho, entered the presence of His LORD and Savior, Jesus Christ, on January 31, 2006.Roy was born January 22, 1951 to Wayne and Edna Johannsen. He married Kelly Reno on June 21, 1981. The LORD blessed them with two children, Walter and Jessica. Native to the Burley area, Roy and Kelly resided there until January 2005 when they moved to Gillette, Wyoming. Roy graduated from Burley High School in 1969. He worked at the J.R. Simplot Company until 1989. A dedicated racquetball player prior to his disability retirement, Roy developed and taught youth racquetball as well as working with the adult leagues. An avid sportsman, Roy enjoyed hunting and fishing as well as coaching Walt?s youth baseball teams. When Walt entered high school ball, Roy continued coaching from the stands.Roy?s love for the LORD was the compass of his life. Having accepted Jesus as his personal Savior in 1975, he drew his strength and direction from Him. Battling increasing physical illness for nearly twenty years, his hope and his strength came from GOD. As the related trials came and went, Roy?s character grew in wisdom, patience and perseverance. Amidst his personal pain, he would not hesitate to arrive to console, comfort and minister to those he knew when tragedy and illness visited them. The comfort he would share was the message of GOD?S mighty work and provision, of which he knew first hand. His life was an encouragement and inspiration to all who knew him. Roy had the highest regard for GOD?S Word, the Holy Bible. His confidence for eternity rested in having trusted Christ?s sacrifice on the cross as redemption for his sins, knowing to be absent from his body was to be present with the LORD, (2Corinthians 5:8)Roy?s family was his priority. Roy loved Kelly very much. Through the years, as he strove to fulfill his GOD-given role as the leader of their home, he learned more and more what it meant to love her as Christ loved the Church. Roy?s greatest desire for his children was that they would grow to love and serve the LORD. Apart from his wedding day and the births of his children and grandchildren, he spoke of the two most important dates of his life as: Walking his daughter down the aisle and placing her in Sam?s care, knowing they both loved and were committed to serving the LORD as one. And equally important, standing as Best Man in Walter?s wedding to Paula-confident that they too loved Jesus and would serve Him together. Roy would say he entered the weddings with two children and left with four. "Papa" to his grandchildren, they brought him more joy than he had ever imagined possible.Roy is survived by his wife, Kelly, of Gillette, Wyoming; his children, Walter (Paula) Johannsen and Jessica (Sam) Andrew; his grandchildren, Chloe, Ethan and Elias Andrew; his parents, Wayne and Edna Johannsen; and his sister, Rose (Rodney) Schmitt and their children Randy and Raymond.Visitation will be Sunday, February 5, 2006 from 3:00-5:00 p.m. at the Paul Congregational Church. Memorial services will be at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, February 6, 2006 also at the Paul Congregational Church with Pastor Brian Livermore officiating. Burial will be at the Paul Cemetery. Roy was an active member of the Family Life Church in Gillette and would suggest in lieu of flowers memorials be made to their Mission Fund. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Hansen Mortuary Burley Chapel.Condolences may be sent in Roy?s name to Stevenson-Wilson Funeral Home at 210 W. 5th St. Gillette, WY 82716 or via the internet at www.stevensonandsons.com.