The BYU–Hawaii Ohana honors the memory of Jack Van Johnson who passed away on Saturday, September 4, 2010, at the age of 69. Johnson is remembered for his service to the University, his family, and the Lord. He was born September 9, 1941, in Preston, Idaho, and came to Hawaii to teach in 1964. He met his eternal companion, Cassandra Hom, in Hawaii and they were married in the Salt Lake Temple on May 31, 1968. During his time at BYU–Hawaii, Johnson served simultaneously as the Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences and the Associate Vice President of Academics for more than a year. When the College of Arts and Sciences was reorganized in November 1996, Johnson was appointed Dean and had responsibility over the seven divisions the college included.
Johnson was also influential in beginning the International Teacher Education Program (ITEP) to train teachers and administrators from the Pacific. For his service, he received the University’s Distinguished Service Award from former BYU–Hawaii President Eric B. Shumway. In a message to university faculty, President Shumway commended Johnson for his “sound administrative ability,” and said of him, “He has been tireless in pursuing activities to strengthen this institution…we feel a debt of gratitude to Jack.”
A fellow faculty member, Susan Barton, described Johnson as "a man of great faith, integrity, honesty, and absolute commitment to what he felt was right." Johnson was greatly loved by the BYU–Hawaii Ohana, and by his wife, seven children, and 24 grandchildren. Services will be in Laie on Saturday, September 18, 2010, at the Laie Hawaii Stake Center in Laie. A viewing will be held from 8:00 - 10:30 a.m. with services from 11:00 a.m. to noon. Burial services will be at the Laie Cemetery at 12:30 p.m. with a luncheon at the Laie Hawaii Stake Center following the services.