Gary Lee Johnson 1946—2020
Gary Lee Johnson, 73, of Apache Junction, AZ, formerly of Rockford, passed away on Thursday, February 13, 2020. Born November 25, 1946, in Chicago, IL, the son of Harold L. Johnson, Sr. and Helen (Johnson) Beers. Gary was confirmed at First Lutheran Church, Rockford. Graduate of East High School, Class of 1964. Gary was a
U.S. Air Force veteran serving in Vietnam. He received his Associate Degree from Rock Valley College and double major from University of Illinois-Chicago. He worked for Warner-Lambert, Cellusuade, and Hamilton – Sundstrand before moving to AZ in 2006. He retired in 2015 from Hamilton – Sundstrand. Gary was a former member of Zion Lutheran Church, Rockford, Phi Theta Kappa, and the Woodruff Express Gospel Quartet. He was an avid Harley Davidson rider and was a member of ABATE and Kutter & Kegal Hog Associations. Survived by his beloved son, Timothy C. (Namtan) Johnson of San Francisco, CA; very special friend and companion, Dianne Johns; numerous cousins including Rick "Bear" Johnson; nephew and nieces, Bob LaFurge, Laureen MacDonald, and Cindy Minkie; God-children, David Ewald, Justin Levvis, Pete Willis, and Jayme Willis; former wife, Nancy L. Johnson. Predeceased by his mother (1975); father (1996); brother, Harold "Hal" Jr. (2003), step-father, Harold "Pop" Beers; step-sister, Barbara Afflerbaugh; and special "Harley" friend, Wayne Allen.
Cremation rites accorded. To share a memory or online condolence, visit
olsonfh.com.
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Dennis Govig
Holy cow, what a shock. I knew Gary from East High School. I'm going to have to start going to more of our class reunions to keep better track of some of my old friends. To all of us that are still left, please, stay safe. Go E-Rabs.Bradley Ewald
So VERY sad to get the call early this morning that Gary, the E-Rab classmate that I truly considered my closest friend in the "Rockford in the '60's", had at last found PEACE IN PASSING. These past few years, he and I had stayed in frequent contact via emailing and photo exchanging between his Arizona home and mine in Oregon. I now can only regret that I did not take the time and travel the distance to see each other face to face at least on more time. I am confident though that his complications are at an end and that great smile, perhaps even with a tall can of nasty Schlitz beer in front of it, is looking down on all of his many friends who shared his life. FARWELL, my buddy "GOORAY"!!
BRAD EWALD
Michael Foster
What a great guy. Funny, charming, and that friendly smile!
Debbie Rhodes (Rathke)
Was saddened to learn of passsing of Gary. I seem to remember that he had been unwell and thus could not come to our reunion.
Gary and his date Janie Holloway (WHS '64) and Brad Ewald and I double-dated to our Junior Prom. We had a fun time together. Later Jane married Ron Hedin, whose mom Carolyn was organist at St. Mark Lutheran for several years, and I married George Rathke. Jane and Ron lived in Salem, VA, next to Roanoke. When we were more newly married and did not have two nickels to rub together, we often got together to play Michigan Rummy. We only could afford to buy coca cola when we had company, but we did for our get-togethers. The times often involved a cookout at one of our apartments.
I was in Roanoke for a Women's Conference about six years ago and called them. I learned Jane had lung cancer and had just gotten out of hospital that day. Fortunately we had a visit the next day, which ended up being the last time I saw her. She passed away about four years ago.
Anyway, I have fond memories of the prom date and youth group stuff at 1st Lutheran with Diane Johnson Waarvik (blonde one), Jane Holloway and, of course, Gary. Debbie Rathke