Obituary: Gary Johnson

Gary Johnson

Gary Lee Johnson passed away on February 16, 2024, after a long struggle with myositis.

Gary was born March 22, 1944, in Woodworth, N.D., the eighth of nine children born to Arthur Johnson and Alvina Zerb Johnson. Gary attended school in a country schoolhouse in the New Home area for eight years.

He graduated from Sykeston High School in 1962. He went to college in Minneapolis and worked there for two years.

He joined the US Navy (1964 - 1966) and was stationed in San Diego, Calif. Upon his discharge, Gary attended airline school. He started working for Commuter Airlines in 1967 in Ontario, Calif. He retired from American Airlines in 2005 in Vancouver, Wash.

On October 14, 1967, Gary married his high school sweetheart, Kathleen Wild in Sykeston, N.D.

Gary is survived by his wife Kathy; son, Wade (Karen) and daughter-in-law Heather; granddaughter, Braelyn (Andrew), grandson Carter; granddaughter Harper; step-grandchildren, Kyle, Christopher and Hannah; great-granddaughter Zoey and siblings, Ardy, Dorie, and Lee.

He was preceded in death by his parents; siblings, Helen, Don, Rodger, Jeanette, and Lyle; son, Aaron and step-grandson Ryan.

Gary will be missed by his loving family and friends.

Immediately following the service on Saturday, March 2, there was a Celebration of Life at Fairway Village Clubhouse, in Vancouver, Wash.