Rick Cameron Johnson

Rick was born to Robert Johnson and Phyllis Vanderslius in Denver Colorado in January of 1952. Rick was the middle of three boys (brothers: Robert & Randall). 

Rick’s values and hobbies developed at an early age. In his younger years, he was passionate about baseball – both playing and eating his fair share of ballpark hotdogs. He also enjoyed swim team and delivering newspapers with his brothers. 

Rick attended Lakewood High School, graduating in 1970. After graduating, he worked for the city of Lakewood, Colorado assessing property lines, starting a string of jobs in local government. He later moved on and worked for the Denver Office of Consumer Affairs, and also as court bailiff for the City and County of Denver, Colorado. His passion for investigations was ignited when he became the youngest DA investigator (at the time) in Colorado, starting with the Denver DA’s office. He also served Jefferson County as an investigator before launching his own Private Investigations business, Rick Johnson and Associates of Colorado which he ran for 35+ years. Rick was particularly proud to have been named as a Grand Jury “Expert Witness” early in his career. 

Rick was also passionate about educating others in the art of investigations and security. He launched the Private Investigators Academy of the Rockies, under which he educated many up-and-coming investigators for over 20 years. Later in life, and ever concerned about those that he held close, Rick also launched and led the security team at Our Father Lutheran Church in Centennial, CO. 

He also enjoyed many passions outside of his career, including cooking, motorcycles, gardening, football (watching, not playing), but he often mentioned that the true joy of his life was sitting around the table with his family and dear friends – celebrating holidays and wonderful Sunday dinners, with what he referred to as his “World Famous” culinary creations. Rick had many friends from many walks of life going back to elementary school, his years of service in local government, business associates, former Academy students, celebrations, vacations, church, etc. He was always happy to meet anyone for a “World Famous” cheeseburger or pizza at one of his many favorite Denver restaurants and catch up on life. 

Rick married Linda McIntosh in 1980; together they had two sons - Ryan (wife: Lacey, and children: Landon & Camryn) and Tyler. Rick and Linda built a life together with their sons in Arvada, CO. Rick truly loved to talk about all the fun trips that he planned and took with the family.  

Rick and Ann met in January 2000 when Rick was retained as a Private Investigator by Ann. Shortly afterwards he began to cook Sunday Dinners for Ann and her three Children – Josh (wife: Karin & children: Josiah, Isaiah, and Elijah), Nathan (wife: Megan & children: Riley, Wyatt, and Finn), and Chelsey. Rick decided that he would “hang around until he collected the bill for unpaid services” – which just so happened to take the rest of his life. 

Together, with all five kids and eight grandkids, life for Rick was full of many Sunday Dinners, football games, holidays, celebrations, and much JOY. 

Rick had his first of multiple strokes in 2015. This led to a significant and rapid decline in health, ultimately leading to a diagnosis of Vascular Parkinson’s Disease in 2021. Though his last five years were marked with many challenges, Ann was never far from his side. Through it all, Rick never lost the mischievous twinkle in his eye, nor his ability to make others laugh. In his last days Rick was surrounded by all of his loved ones. We laughed, we cried, we prayed, we sang and danced and walked him into the loving arms of Jesus - with whom we are sure he is sharing “World Famous” cheeseburgers and hotdogs right now. 

In lieu of flowers, Rick’s family asks that you kindly make donations to Our Father Lutheran Church in Centennial, CO. 

Memorial Service to be held at 11:00AM on Friday, October 25, 2024, at Our Father Lutheran Church, 6335 S. Holly Street, Centennial, CO 80121; a reception to follow at the church.

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