Weston Lane Johnson

Weston Lane Johnson was born January 15, 1987 in Lakin, Kansas to Blane & Jill (Bushnell) Johnson and departed life January 17, 2014 in Wray.

In 1990 Weston and his family moved to Great Bend, Kansas where he would start school. At age five Weston started competing in competitive sports, primarily swimming where he excelled and qualified for several State swim meets.

In 1995 Weston and his family moved to Wray where he continued to be involved in Boy Scouts, football, baseball, swim team, wrestling and basketball. During junior high Weston participated in football, basketball, wrestling and track, however football was his favorite! Weston developed a passion for guitar and would eventually start up a couple of Punk Rock bands with his friends. He also loved going to the mountains skiing and snowboarding with friends and family.

During high school Weston participated in football, basketball, baseball and track. Not only did he excel on the field but also in the classroom. He received many awards and honors during high school including: Honor Roll all four years, member of NHS, FCCLA, FCA, Spanish Club and Academic All State First Team from 2002-2005. Weston received numerous All conference and all State honors in football, baseball, basketball and track during his time at Wray High School. During the spring of 2004 Weston’s primary sport was baseball. However, he also competed in track and placed fourth in the triple jump at the State Track Meet. He also played in the State Championship Football game that same year.

In 2005 Weston played in the State Championship Baseball game and upon completion of that game, went to the State Track Meet the same day and was anchor on the 4 x4 relay team that placed second in State and set a new school record. He was chosen to play in the Colorado High School Coaches Association All State Football game in June 2005. Weston was named to the National Football Foundation Colorado Chapter and College Football Hall of Fame Scholar-Athlete in February 2005 and was awarded a scholarship which was given to Wray High School.

During his senior year Weston signed a “Letter of Intent” to play Division 1 football for the University of Wyoming (UW). This was a dream come true for Weston where he continued to excel both on the field and in the classroom. Weston earned Mountain West Conference Academic All Conference from 2005-2009. He received the Mountain West Conference Scholar Athlete award given by the National Football Foundation-Wyoming Chapter and Football Hall of Fame in 2009 and was awarded a Post Graduate Scholarship.

Weston was voted Team Captain by his teammates prior to his senior year at UW.  The team would go on to defeat Fresno State in two overtimes in the New Mexico Bowl. Weston would say his fondest memories (including the Fresno State game) were defeating the University of Tennessee in front of 100,000 plus fans in Knoxville or intercepting a Colt McCoy pass in a loss to Texas his senior year in front of a Wyoming home crowd. Weston was named Outstanding Senior in Marketing by the UW College of Business in 2009 and graduated with a BS in Marketing and a Minor in Finance in December 2009.

Following graduation from the University of Wyoming in December 2009 Weston signed a free agent contract with the Atlanta Falcons and played in all four preseason games during the 2010 season. After being released from the Falcons Weston continued to be  involved in football, helping coach the Wray High School football team in the fall of 2010. It was during this time  Weston developed a passion for skydiving and would end up making multiple solo jumps. He even influenced his older sister into making one jump on a trip to Moab, UT.

In 2011 Weston became a Grad Assistant at UW where he was able to reconnect and work with his previous linebacker and defensive coordinator coach- Marty English-who Weston had a great deal of respect and admiration. He also worked on his post graduate studies at UW.

In 2012 Weston was offered a sales/marketing position with Emit Technology in Sheridan, WY. He was also an assistant football coach for the Sheridan High School Broncs. Weston would say this was the ideal situation as he truly loved working with the personnel at Emit Technologies, as well as the Sheridan High School players and coaching staff. It was during his time in Sheridan that Weston was able to experience life without football and able to enjoy things he wasn’t able to during his football career at UW like hiking, camping, and duck hunting on the Big Horn River with friends and coworkers. He also continued his love of guitars and music  by participating in “open mic” nights in Sheridan.

Weston enjoyed spending time with his friends and was always giving them a hard time in a good natured way. His charm, wit and humor became infectious to anyone who knew and spent time with him. He would  make friends with everyone and was respectful, regardless of their background.

Weston truly influenced the lives of many people during his battle with Melanoma this past year, as was evidenced on the “Never Flinch” Facebook page and from testimonials received from numerous students, teammates, friends, coworkers and people Weston didn’t even know. He lived life to the fullest in his 27 years and will be  greatly missed by family and friends.

He was preceded in death by his grandfather, Neil Johnson of Phillipsburg, Kansas. Weston leaves behind his parents, Blane and Jill, sisters, Allison Bohall, husband, Treece and niece, Hannah of Grand Junction and sister, Arika Luedke, husband, Eric and nephew, Link Weston of Holyoke and girlfriend, Megan Taylor of Phoenix, AZ. He also leaves his grandparents, Norma Johnson and Ray and Ann Bushnell of Phillipsburg along with numerous aunts, uncles, cousins and friends.

Weston, we love you and look forward to the day we will be reunited.

“Never Flinch” – Cowboy Tough. Powder River let’r Buck!

Memorial services were held January 25 at Wray High School Gymnasium.  Cremation was requested. Memorials may be made to the Weston Johnson Memorial Fund in care of First Pioneer National Bank, 145 W. 4th, Wray, Colorado 80758 or Spellman-Schmidt Funeral Home, 427 Adams Street, Wray, Colorado 80758. Scholarships will be provided to Wray High School and Sheridan High School in Sheridan, WY or funds will go to cancer research.

Spellman-Schmidt Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.