RAPID CITY- Dennis E. Johnson (78), of Rapid City, SD, passed away at his home on February 8, 2017, while battling Burkitt's Lymphoma.

Dennis was born on May 22, 1938 in Wall, SD to Ralph "Cotton" and Gladys (Hildebrandt) Johnson. The Johnson's moved from Wall to Rapid City before Denny started in school. He graduated from Rapid City High School in 1956 where he played trumpet in the band and enjoyed playing sports. He attended BHSC were he continued to play sports and the trumpet in the Pep band.

Dennis met his life-long friend and companion, Sharon (Anderson) Johnson in the 2nd Grade, their families were friends, and Dennis and Sharon were married in 1959. They raised 4 boys, Brad (Cyndy) Johnson, Sioux Falls, Mike (Debbie) Johnson, RC, Jeff (Dawn) Johnson, Washington, UT, and Danny (Nikki) Johnson, RC. They have 6 grandchildren; Zachary, Joshua, Kayla, Dillon, Sarah, and Katie.

Dennis was a member of the Rapid City Elks Lodge for 46 years. He worked all his life in Sales, and retired from Great Western Tire in Rapid City, were he was employed for over 20 years. He loved to talk with customers and enjoyed hearing stories about the hiding spots of old cars.

Dennis loved old cars and owned several of them during his lifetime, including a 1928 President Studebaker, several 1950 Plymouths, a 1938 Chrysler, and most recently a 1937 Plymouth. His first and most favorite car was a 1937 Plymouth Coupe, which was his pride and joy in high school. What Dennis enjoyed most was the hunt. He and Sharon would spend hours driving around looking for the cars he had heard about.

Dennis was preceded in death by his sister Janice Spicer, and his parents, Ralph and Gladys Johnson. A memorial will be established in Dennis' name for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.

The celebration of Dennis' life will be at 2:00 p.m. on Monday, February 13, 2017 at South Canyon Lutheran Church in Rapid City with Rev. Bruce Thalacker officiating. Visitation will be one hour prior to services.  Interment will follow at 3:00 p.m. at Mt. View Cemetery with a reception with the family, back at the church following the burial service.