Brent Johnson
The rock and light of our family was mercifully granted peace by his Lord, Jesus Christ, on Thursday, Oct. 22, 2009. He was a warrior and fought a courageous battle with stage four cancer for five and a half years. We were blessed to be able to come home from the hospital to his own bed, where he was held in the arms of his loving family and friends until the Lord took him home.
Brent was born to Mary Alice (Bridenbaugh) and Merle Johnson on June 25, 1948, in Billings. They later moved to Powell, Wyo., where Brent graduated from Powell High School, excelling in football and swimming, capturing the state breast stoke title his junior year. He attended Stanford University on an academic scholarship and graduated with an Industrial Engineering degree. He earned his PMD from Harvard University Graduate School of Business Administration. He loved spending time at the Rosebud Lake family cabin, fly fishing, the Denver Broncos, the blues, and a good joke. He kept his sense of humor even through his last hours.
He married Wendy Laughlin in 1978. They were blessed with a wonderful son, Drew, on Nov. 30, 1985, in Orange County, Calif. Wendy passed away from cancer when Drew was 5. Brent later married Cheryl Westphal, and together they raised Drew.
Brent's grandfather, John H. Bridenbaugh, was one of two doctors who founded the Billings Clinic. Grandpa and Grandma Bridenbaugh left a legacy of community service and Brent was honored to continue the tradition. He was the President of the Harvard Business School Alumni Association of Orange County; East Rosebud Lake Association Board of Directors; Magic City Soccer Club Board of Directors; Ronald McDonald House Charities of Montana Board of Directors; MetraPark Board of Directors, serving one year as President; Special K Ranch Board of Directors; Billings Clinic Cancer Advisory Group; Billings Clinic Cancer Center Capital Campaign Cabinet; Billings Clinic Foundation Board of Directors. He was proud to help bring the vision of the Billings Clinic Cancer Center to reality. He was humbled to be asked to cut the ribbon at the opening ceremony and honored to receive, with Cheryl, the Philip N. Fortin Philanthropist Award for 2009.
Brent is survived by his devoted wife, Cheryl Westphal Johnson; his loving son, Drew; sister Sarah (Abner) Sumrall, Oregon; sister Laurie (Robert) Hanks, Wyoming; brother Kyle (Mary) Johnson, Oregon; brother Dr. David (Teresa) Johnson, Rapid City, S.D.; stepchildren Scott and Marcy Porreca, New Jersey, Christine Baumann, Billings, William and Lisa Kearney, California; eight step-grandchildren who will forever miss "Poppy."
Special family friends, who cared for him during his last days, Greg Todd, Kathie Kline; and his friend and business associate at OneEighty Communications, Chris Dimock, and many nieces and nephews, whom he thoroughly enjoyed trouncing in Cribbage, Nertz, basketball or any card game. The competition was always for second place, as Brent was the formidable champion.
The family would like to thank God's angels on earth, who helped him fight stage four cancer and who made it possible for Brent to enjoy "five and half of the best years of my life": Dr. Tom Purcell (even though he is a Packers fan), Diane Jones, Dani Wright, Dr. Burke, Dr. Konstantakos, Dr. Thometz; Dr. Scott Price, Dr. Spike Pueringer; Dr. Scott Needham, Dr. Millikan and our cheerleader, Dr. Robert Hurd, the rest of the Cancer Center team, who are so loving and supportive, and his ICU nurses, Lynne, Robert and Sarah, who lovingly cared for him during his last days at the hospital.
A celebration of Brent's life is scheduled for 4 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 25, at Montana Pavilion at MetraPark followed by dinner, where we invite you to share his favorite meal and your favorite memories of Brent.
If you are so inclined, Brent requested gifts or memorials be sent to Special K Ranch, PO Box 479, Columbus, MT 59019; Billings Clinic Foundation, or The Hope United Methodist Church Chancel Choir Music Fund.
Remembrances
Please leave your name and remembrance in this public guest book. Your comments will be shared on this page and forwarded to the family.
I was grieved to learn of Brent's death and regret that we will not be able to attend his memorial service. However our thoughts will be with all the members of his family. I hope that each of you is doing well.
Jarrell Tharp