Obituary of Gary Harold Johnson

Gary Harold "Jet" Johnson, age 75, slipped quietly away on March 18, 2019 at the Wealshire of Bloomington from complications of Alzheimer's. He was born in Elk River, MN on August 31, 1943 to Harold August Johnson and Bernyce Elizabeth Stevens. He learned the value of hard work alongside his father, the owner of Braham Implement Inc., in Braham, MN and after graduating from the local high school in 1961 he enlisted in the United States Marine Corps, a decision that shaped the rest of his life.  He enrolled in The University of MN General College and continued to sharpen his sales and marketing skills. In 1974 he went to work for Kawasaki Motors Corporation and was involved in the early test markets for their new water craft, the Jet Ski, leading to the name he became known as in business, Jet Johnson. His career with KMC took him to Arlington, TX as a Regional Manager and in 1982 he was promoted to Vice-President of Sales, relocating to Southern California. During his eight year tenure one of the many highlights was the year they achieved their first ever #1 in the marketplace. His career at KMC was followed by V-P of Sales for Mercury Marine in Fond Du Lac, WI, Parts Unlimited in Janesville, WI and returning home to MN in 1999 with Excelsior-Henderson. His career took him to many states and international destinations but serving in Hawaii while in the military made that lovely chain of islands one of his favorite places to be. His career was cut short by his diagnosis of Alzheimer's in 2006 but his passion for work, setting and reaching goals, remained strong. 

Gary became a father later in his life and strove to share his life lessons, exuberance and patriotism with his children. He is survived by his beloved son and daughter, Charles Bryant Johnson and Sara LaMance Johnson, their mother Kathy Johnson, his stepmother Gerda (Jon) Scheele, siblings, Mark (Kathy) Johnson, Ken (Akiko) Johnson, Randy (Michelle) Johnson, Terry (Dan) Johnson, Jeanne (Todd) Shermer, Steve (Pao) Johnson, and Tim (Robin) Lavin. In addition he leaves behind a large extended family that brought him joy throughout his life.

He was preceded in death by his father, mother and sister, Sherry Johnson Richardson, as well as her husband Jesse.

Gary's faith was a source of strength in tough times and joy in the good times. He often started the day by saying with great enthusiasm "This is the day the Lord has made, Rejoice and be glad in it." He would wish that for everyone.

A special thanks to the staff at Wealshire who cared for him during the five years he lived there and to the wonderful hospice team from Park-Nicollet for their dedication and kindness.

Services will be held on July 5th at 11:00 am, Grace Covenant Church, 10201 Nicollet Ave. South, Bloomington followed by Military Honors Burial at Fort Snelling.