Richard Hugh Johnson

The midday sun dimmed unexpectedly on January 20, 2022, when our beloved Richard Hugh Johnson passed away, all too soon, due to injuries sustained in a tragic ranching accident.

Richard was born in Missoula, Montana on August 22, 1958, the fifth child of Ray L. and Betty M. (Williams Bryant) Johnson. He was a vital addition to the family, which has a generational tradition of ranching. Rich attended Superior Public Schools, where his classmates became his lifelong friends. He was an avid member of the Rustlers 4-H Club and keenly enjoyed showing his cattle at fairs throughout the region.

Upon graduation from Superior High School in 1976, Rich dedicated his lifelong career to the family’s working ranch with his mother, Betty, and sister, Carole. It was important to him to raise only Hereford cattle, which he valued for their superior conformation and genetics, exceptional performance, instinctual mothering, calm disposition, and quality beef. He was well known throughout Montana for his astute eye as a judge of cattle and as an excellent cowman.

Cattle ranching involves intense physical labor and Rich was up to the daily task. He was extremely strong and tough: bucking bales, pulling calves, and carrying heavy loads of feed regularly. But he was also soft-hearted and romantic. He wooed the love of his life, Polly, during a lengthy courtship and never failed to be attentive, affectionate, and devoted. Both Rich and Polly declared that they were the luckiest couple in the world to have finally found their sweet soulmates in one another. In 2019, the couple married in Las Vegas where the smalltown boy was awed by his first plane ride, the bright lights, crowds of revelers, warm weather, and variety of scenery and food. In wedded bliss they shared many fun filled excursions including visiting interesting locales throughout Montana and the Pacific NW, delivering cattle to market, bringing home the newest prized bull, attending concerts/fairs/festivals/farmers’ markets, Lady Griz basketball games, and holding season tickets to the UM Grizzly football games to name just a few. Each day brought new opportunity for love, laughter, and adventure, hand-in-hand.

Richard was quite artistic in his younger years and throughout his life he enjoyed fishing, hunting, and socializing. He deeply loved his family and friends who could always depend on him for a genuine smile, friendly attitude, helping hand, and humorous tale. Rich was the definition of “people person.” He was a caring man with endless enthusiasm, a ready laugh, and sunny personality, a wonderful husband, son, brother, cousin, uncle, and friend, and an absolute delight to be around. Rich made the world a warmer, kinder place. His infectious grin lit up any room and he made everyone he encountered feel appreciated and important. We are so fortunate that his bright spark illuminated our lives.

Rich was preceded in death by his parents Ray and Betty Johnson. He is survived by his devastated family: loving wife Polly McNeal of Superior; sister/partner/special friend Carole Johnson of Superior; brother Wallace (Jo) Johnson of Koloa, HI; brother Charles Bryant of Superior; brother Ray (Connie) Bryant of Missoula; stepson Gideon (Heather) McNeal-Patton of Missoula; treasured cousins; and cherished nieces and nephews. Never doubt that his most precious memories and the most wonderful times of his life revolved around all of you.

Due to Covid-19, crummy winter roads, and calving season, a celebration of Richard’s life will be announced later this spring. We hope that you can all attend and share your unique memories of this amazing man. In remembrance of Richard please hug your loved ones tightly and spread the sunshine of your smile whenever possible.