Verland Dittmore Johnson was born May 10, 1914, a son of Andrew A. Johnson and Emily Ellen Dittmore.

As a child Verland was small and not too strong. He went to Lindon Grade School and Primary. He had rheumatic fever twice during his grade school days, and again while he was in High School. He had a brilliant, straight thinking mind and had the ability to retain the knowledge he had gained. Although, he had so much sickness, he kept up with his studies and graduated with his class from the Pleasant Grove High School in 1932. He lived a good clean life. He had no bad habits.

He met Helols Paxman in June 1932, and began a courtship that terminated in their marriage in the Logan Temple on August 30, 1935.

Verland worked with his father and brother Oswald, baling, grinding and trucking hay.

In November 1935, Verland went to Salt Lake City to attend Henegar's Business College. He worked for his board and room by helping around a boarding house. His sister Reha paid his tuition and Helois kept her job as cashier at J C Penny Company in American Fork to help keep up the home expenses. But that first attempt to go to college and so to get easier work failed. A baby was coming so Verland had to quit school and go back to work for his father.

In June 1939, Verland became ill and was not well again for a year. He had rheumatic fever again and it took months of convalescing before he could get around again. His heart was damaged to such an extent that he would never again be able to do hard work.

Verland's mother died in November of 1939 and in January 1940, Verland and Helois and their two children moved in with Verland's father, where Verland's bed could be put up in the front room by a good fire. Helois worked at several business offices and had a girl care for the children and Verland during the day. But times were hard and in the Spring Helois was out of work and the only bright spot was that Verland was beginning to get up and around.

Verland's father told the State Welfare of their plight. Through the State Rehabitation Service Verland was given a scholarship at the Brigham Young University. They also accepted a small allowance through the State Aid to Dependent Children Service.

Verland managed to work part time and graduated from the BYU in June 1944 with high honors.

He then had three children. He went to work for Geneva Steel Company and was employed there until the time of his death.

During that time, a fourth child was born. By careful management, they were able to complete and pay for their home and garage.

Verland was active in Church work in Lindon Ward. He was in the presidency of the Elders Quorum. At the time of his death he was a Seventy. He was a Sunday School Teacher and assistant to the Scout Master. He received his Eagle Scout badge in February 1948. He served as Ward Clerk while Alroy Gillman was bishop, until on doctors orders because of failing health he was released in 1947. His work as town clerk and treasurer, from 1941 until the time of his death was praised as efficient and trustworthy by all who had worked with him.

Verland died at his home in Lindon, Utah on September 19, 1948 and was buried at Pleasant Grove cemetery on September 23, 1948.

From John V. Johnson's Book of Memory