Stacey Dean Johns

Stacey loved the Boise Broncos as much as the Special Olympics. He also loved his Bible studies. Every day when returning home from Developmental Therapy, he would grab a Diet Pepsi, put his Gaither Vocal Band on his CD player, and study his Bible. Stacey Dean Johns, age 57, of Kimberly, ID, passed away at Ashley Manor in Kimberly on August 21, 2024, with his sister, Linda Walker, by his side.

Stacey was born in Twin Falls, ID in 1966 to Ivan and Maude Louise Johns. Stacey was born with medical conditions that required a lifetime of care. Born with Down’s Syndrome, he later developed Type I diabetes and other medical issues. He was diagnosed with Early Onset Alzheimer’s five years ago. 

Stacey lived with his mom and dad for the first 43 years of his life and then lived the next 14 years with his sister and brother-in-law, Linda, and Rick Walker until November of 2023 when he moved to Memory Care.

He loved fishing with his dad and mom, camping, word search puzzles, jigsaw puzzles, board and card games (Uno and Skipbo, etc.), collecting Boise Bronco tee shirts and memorabilia, and Special Olympics. He participated in the Special Olympics until 2020. He traveled to several places in Idaho, including Pocatello, Plymouth, Moscow, Idaho Falls and Boise, as well as here in Magic Valley, to participate in the Olympics. In the Special Olympics, he participated in a number of sports – bowling, softball throw, 50-yard dash, swimming, broad jump, basketball, and soccer.

A few years ago, the Boise Broncos sent Stacey free tickets to a game. His niece, Dinah and her husband, Jeremy, accompanied him to the game. If you knew Stacey, then you knew he did not walk extremely fast. However, that day he walked so fast Dinah and Jeremy could hardly keep up.

Stacey attended Special Education, where he learned math, reading, and writing, all of which he used throughout his life. He graduated from Robert Stuart in 1984.

Stacey’s siblings always wanted a little brother, so they were all ecstatic when he was born on December 9, 1966, which happened to be his brother’s, Keith, 22nd birthday. They shared many Birthday Celebrations.

 Marcella and Ann were at school the day Stacey and mom came home from the hospital. When they got home from school, they were perturbed not to be the first ones to see Stacey, as he and mom already had visitors. At his birth, he joined siblings Keith Johns (Sharon), Linda Walker (Rick), Marcella Odom (Robert), and Elizabeth Ann Watkins.

His father, Ivan Johns; two sisters, Marcella Odom, and Elizabeth Ann Watkins; and one brother-in-law, Robert Odom, preceded him in death. He is survived by his mother, who is 98 (soon to be 99), Louise Johns; one brother, Keith Johns and one sister, Linda Walker; as well as a multitude of friends and loved ones. 

When shopping with Stacey, individuals would walk up to Stacey and visit him. People you did not know but Stacey knew them. 

Stacey had a number of special pets over his lifetime. Rusty, who helped Stacey learn to walk. Tiny, who was a very small toy poodle who appeared mysteriously in the yard one day. Maddie who was another toy poodle. Lastly, a Dachshund named Askem, who saved Stacey’s life. One night during an extremely low drop in Stacey’s blood sugar. Askem awakened Linda when Stacey was having seizures. Yes, Askem earned his steak!

When younger, he had a special toy, “JoJo” the clown. JoJo went with Stacey, his mom and dad on a trip to Seymour, MO, which is where his parents were from. Visiting an elderly relative, his mom and dad were in the kitchen visiting her, leaving Stacey in the living room where there was a fire going in the fireplace. JoJo disappeared and although, there was no evidence, it was assumed that JoJo ended up in the fireplace. Never to be seen again!!

When camping, Stacey always picked up the paper products, etc., after we ate a meal and put them in the firepit. We were all camping in the North Hills shortly after Dinah, his niece, had gotten her braces removed. She had just received her retainer and could not eat with it in her mouth. She would wrap them in a napkin and lay beside her plate. You can guess what happened to that retainer!

To know Stacey was to love him. He brought joy to many people. He was always friendly and will leave an impact on our hearts. The last few times we went to a restaurant with him, he would walk in the door, raise his hand, and say “Hi!” to everyone there.

Many will remember him sitting on the front seat at church with his Bible, playing the air guitar and drums.

Knowing Stacey, he is busting his buttons because he made to heaven before us and that we are spending the day reminiscing about him.