Vigil honors Utah County man who unexpectedly died at church youth camp

SPRINGVILLE, Utah (KUTV) — The Springville community gathered Saturday to honor a man who was found dead while camping with a youth church group near Wasatch Mountain State Park.

Alex Johnson was found dead on Thursday morning during a church-related youth camp, according to a statement from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

The church confirmed the incident did not occur on a church-owned campground. KUTV reached out to the Wasatch County Sheriff's Office for information on the cause of Johnson's death, but did not hear back by the time of publishing.

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Friends and family stood shoulder to shoulder at the candlelight vigil held at Springville High School.

“He’s my baby boy,” said Alice Heaps, Johnson’s mother. “I think he might have all the boxes checked to go to the next place. But we want him here.”

Johnson was a husband, a father of four, and, according to Heaps, “a son who made everyone feel seen.”

“He loves people for who they are,” said Heaps.

Ryan Bendtschnieder, a close friend of Johnson, said he struggled to accept that Johnson had passed.

“I was in complete denial at first because Alex was so larger than life,” said Bendtschnieder.

His family said he spent his life showing up for others. Heaps said he was a busy father, balancing service to his community, church, and family. Even so, she said he made time to call them every day.

“He made a difference in the world through his service and his genuine love for people,” said Heaps.

A GoFundMe has been set up to support the Johnson family. The page said the donations will help with funeral expenses and supporting his wife and children "as they begin to navigate life without him."

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