Huntsville portrait artist JR Johansen finds healing in late missionaries project
Pastel artist JR Johansen talks about his portrait work inside his studio Tuesday, Aug. 15, 2017, at his home in Huntsville. For the last two years, Johansen has painted portraits of missionaries who died while serving their missions.
Elder Jeremy Scott McCauley from Payson, Utah, died May 6, 2017 while serving in the Milwaukee mission in Wisconsin. He died during his sleep of an unknown cause. Autopsy reports indicated his body showed no injury or disease. He is reported to have been "very laid back and easy to get along with" as well as being kind, obedient, generous and loved by many.
Elder Philip Barrett (pictured left with his older sister as children) was from Morgan. He died along with his companion August 22, 2014 from carbon monoxide poisoning due to an illegally installed gas boiler in their apartment. "Life is beautiful!" he wrote in his journal. "JOY, LOVE, HAPPINESS come through JESUS CHRIST!"
Elder Derek Jason Walker from Driggs, Idaho, died Nov. 8, 2011 after he and his companion were struck by a car when they were between appointments in the McAllen, Texas mission. He loved his mission and the people of South Texas, according to reports. He was the oldest of five children and enjoyed sports and the outdoors.
Sister Natalie Barnard of Snoqualmie, Washington died following an automobile accident.
Elder Yu-Peng Xiong, from Arlington, Virginia, was serving in Taipei, Taiwan. He died along with his companion from carbon monoxide poisoning due to an illegally installed gas boiler in their apartment. He was known for an affection for rebellious teenagers, who he befriended by tutoring them in math.
Elder Benjamin Taylor Jennings of Fredricksburg, Virginia, died May 21, 2011, while serving in the Santiago Chile West Mission. He passed away as a result of heart failure while exercising with his companion. "If you need an artist, talk to me," he said on his Brigham Young University application. "If you need a lifeguard, find someone more buoyant."
Elder Connor Benjamin Thredgold of Springville, died Aug. 22, 2014, of carbon monoxide poisoning while serving in the Taipei, Taiwan mission. His motto was "smile bigger" and his favorite hymn was "There is Sunshine in my Soul Today."
Elder David Hampton of North Ogden died Aug. 22, 2014 when he was hit by a car while riding his bike. He was serving in the Taichung, Taiwan mission. His motto was "It's not about you." He enjoyed debate, puppies, ballroom dance and family. His family reported that his life was about the Savior.
Elder Colt Daniel Kunz of Victor, Idaho died Oct. 10, 2013 while serving in Tampico, Mexico. He was accidentally electrocuted and then fell from a two-story building. "To return to our Heavenly Father, we all need the atonement, faith, and the brightness of hope each day," he wrote in his last letter home. "I pray that we will love and help each other, enjoy the short time we have with family, and 'Always' have joy in the journey!"
Sister Sadie Wells of Kaysville, died Feb. 9, 2016 following an automobile accident while serving in the Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania mission. She is quoted as saying, "I hope to make lives better because of my love for the Savior, my desire to be compassionate and my desire to be kind."
Elder Nicholas Martin Silock of Burley, Idaho, died June 10, 2001, while serving in Kingston, Jamaica. He passed away from a heart attack one month after reaching Jamaica. "He knew he would not be coming home," wrote his parents. "The adversary worked hard on him not to go. Serving his mission was the hardest decision Nick ever made."
Elder Todd Hunt of Henderson, Nevada, was serving in Lisbon, Portugal when he died Feb. 11, 1987. He was shot by a gunman who attacked four missionaries. Evidence indicated that he stayed behind to reason with the man before he was shot in the head execution style. In his journal during his missionary training he had written in his journal, "Greater love hath no man than he lay down his life for his friends." He was referencing New Testament Scripture John 15:13.
Sister Nancy Ann Vea of Jordan, Utah, Died Aug. 22, 2014 following an automobile accident while serving in the Tulsa, Oklahoma mission. "The fruits of this Gospel are the blessings of peace I feel," she wrote in a letter. "They are the knowledge that I will be with my family forever, not just 'til death do we part. I love ... to help families be forever."
Elder William Allen Jack of Mesa, Arizona, died Nov. 26, 2003 while serving in the San Jose mission in California. He was released early from his mission due to an injury and the diagnosis of cancer. He died a few weeks after returning home.
Sister Samantha Lierley of Willow, Alaska, died May 27, 2014, in Vancouver, Washington. According to reports, her death was caused by total body sepsis with a secondary aorta blood clot. She reportedly ended her letters home with a quote from her father, "You can count the seeds in an apple, but you cannot count the apples in the seed."
Sister Vanessa Bentley of Lindon died Aug. 30, 2011 following an automobile accident while serving in the Utica, New York mission. "She served selflessly to the end of her life," was said about her. "Because He lives, she lives and His work will continue moving forward through her forever."
HUNTSVILLE — At 72, JR Johansen believes he recently found his life’s purpose.
The artist took on a pastel project to create portraits of missionaries for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints who died during their service.
With damaged lungs, heart and spirit from years of problems associated with his U.S. Army service in the Vietnam War, Johansen said he’s sure this effort is healing his body and easing his traumatic memories.
“It’s given me a purpose,” he said. “I was supposed to have died almost two years ago. In many ways, I think I am getting better. Positive thinking goes a long way toward healing.”
Not only is he feeling better than before he found his passion in portraiture, but his spirit is improving too, he said.
“I had to have something that would connect me with more heavenly things,” he said. “When I see the joy of families, it somehow replaces all that I experienced in war.”
The project came about naturally, Johansen said.
Two years ago, Johansen created a portrait of the late Elder Mason Bailey of Richfield and the artwork was part of his display in a juried exhibition at the Joseph Smith Memorial Building Christmas Art Show.
That’s when he met Cindi Thredgold, the mother of the late Elder Connor Thredgold, a missionary from Springville who died in 2014, of carbon monoxide poisoning while serving in Taiwan. Thredgold already researched and found 577 missionaries who died in service, dating back to the founding of the church.
Her findings are published at momonamission2017.
Meeting her put him on his quest, he said. He wants to paint as many portraits of late missionaries as he can.
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Photo Supplied/JR Johansen
Elder Mason Bailey of Richfield, Utah, died while serving in the Stockholm, Sweden mission following an automobile accident.
Johansen said his goal is for the portraits to give grieving families a way to stay close to their lost loved ones.
“Those who have been able to come to grips with it, they are happy and can go on with life,” Johansen said. “Especially if they have a child’s portrait or photo or something prominently displayed in their home.”
Family members who have received the latest portraits said they are honored to have them and that they have found healing through Johansen’s work.
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Photo Supplied/JR Johansen
Elder Jason Wiberg of Roy, died Aug. 25, 2013 following an automobile accident. He was serving in the Singapore, Malaysia mission. “Serving as a missionary is something I do not want to end,” he is quoted as saying. “I love teaching the Gospel to the people of Malaysia.”
“I just can’t even describe the feelings I get when I look at the portrait of Jason. A lot of times, that’s all I have left are just pictures,” said Janis Wiberg of Roy, mother of Elder Jason Wiberg, who died Aug. 25, 2013, following an vehicle accident. “I know where he is and his is happy. JR caught that in the painting.”
Reid Wiberg, Janis’ husband, said he sees the portrait as a symbol of what sacrifice means.
“When I look at that picture, I think of others who have made sacrifices and who have passed away,” said he said, naming other missionaries and those who served in the armed forces.
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Photo Supplied/JR Johansen
Sister Brittany Scadlock from West Haven died March 11, 2015, while serving her mission in Chlorinda, Argentina. She had contracted E-Coli from some food she had eaten and passed away due to complications from the illness. She had said she knew she was in Argentina for a reason, even if it was for one friend who needed her.
“When you go through something really hard, it’s nice when people realize that,” said Nicole Scadlock of West Haven.
Her daughter, Sister Brittany Scadlock, died March 11, 2015, while serving her mission in Chlorinda, Argentina, from complications after she contracted E-coli poisoning.
“It is beautiful,” said Scadlock. “It hangs in my family room. I smile when I see it.”
• RELATED: Deceased LDS missionary hailed for example she set
Johansen is planning to gather families of late missionaries around the portraits. The event is set for Sept. 15 at This is the Place Heritage Park.
Scadlock said she is excited for the event.
“It’s nice when you can associate with people who know what you are going through — not think that they know what you are going through, but know what you are going through,” she said.
Janis Wiberg remembers going to the funeral of Connor Thredgold and meeting his mother.
“I think it helped us more than it helped her,” she said. “Talking to the other families, giving them the strength they need is important. It comes and goes. Some days are good and others are not.”
Johansen said he’s a quiet person who likes to avoid the spotlight, but he feels passionate about contacting as many families of deceased missionaries as he can to offer his services.
“This is a good opportunity for someone who knows someone to contact me,” he said.
For more information about the upcoming meeting of families who have lost missionaries or to forward information about a family who has lost a missionary, call Johansen at 385-244-7027.
SARAH WELLIVER/Standard-Examiner
Pastel artist JR Johansen works on a portrait of LDS missionary Samantha Lierley inside his studio Tuesday, Aug. 15, 2017, at his home in Huntsville. For the last two years, Johansen has painted portraits of missionaries who died while serving their missions.
You may reach reporter JaNae Francis at jfrancis@standard.net or 801-625-4228. Follow her on Twitter at @JaNaeFrancisSE or like her on Facebook at facebook.com/SEJaNaeFrancis.
