The pilot, Eric L. Johnson, 36, was a city council member, but there was little discussion of his time in politics during a memorial service at an LDS stake center. The focus was on Johnson's family life.

His brother, Clayton Johnson, recalled how Eric Johnson joined the family electrical contracting business, then became a partner in the business when their father died in an ultralight accident.

Eric Johnson liked to take his wife and four children camping and motorcycle riding, and he also enjoyed simple pleasures like sitting down with them at dinner time.

"I'll never replace him, but I'll be there for you," a teary Clayton Johnson told his brother's children.

The same stake center, 88 W. 800 North, will be the venue for Kim Acton's funeral at noon today and for Brian Bayles funeral at noon Thursday. Johnson, Acton and Bayles were looking for elk Friday when, at about 6:30 a.m. the single-engine plane crashed a mile northeast of the Monticello airport.

Federal investigators may release a preliminary report this week but have said it may be months before there is a final determination on what caused the accident.

Bayles also was serving on the Blanding City Council. Acton was a former councilman.

Johnson's children recalled the fun they had with their father. When Eric Johnson's youngest son received a new bat and ball, the father and son began playing baseball in the kitchen, over the mother's objections.

"Dad just laughed and hit the ball again and almost made it into a bowl of gravy," 11-year-old Devin Johnson, Eric Johnson' oldest son, told the audience.

"Our dad taught us all a lot of great things; most of all to live life to the fullest," said daughter Kortney Johnson, 14.

Eric Johnson's remains rested in an unstained and unpainted wooden casket as speakers at his memorial service also took time to express condolences to the families of Acton and Bayles.

David Johnson, Eric Johnson's uncle and an LDS bishop, compared the deaths to receiving a new, trying assignment from the LDS Church.

"These three men are not happy with their new calling," David Johnson said, "but - the men they are - they have accepted the new calling and they will do it with the same voracity they have done everything else."

A viewing for Acton will be from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. today. A viewing for Bayles will be from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. today and 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. Thursday.

The viewings will be at San Juan Mortuary, 370 S. Main St. in Blanding.

Blanding schools were to begin the new year Thursday but classes have been postponed until Friday..

ncarlisle@sltrib.com