Garry L. Johnson

Garry Loren Johnson was born on January 4, 1946. His parents were Orville and Polly (Gordon) Kampen in Alameda, California. He attended school and went on to earn his G.E.D.  In 1963, Garry enlisted in the U.S. Navy and served until his honorable discharge in 1967. During his service, he received a National Defense Service Medal. On January 12, 1968, he was united in marriage to Barbara Ridgway in Yankton, South Dakota.  From 1970 to 1979, Garry was the manager of Forest Lodge mobile home park in Kokomo, Indiana. In 1980, they returned to Yankton and he worked for Gurney’s Seed and Nursery in various positions ranging from landscaping to print shop manager until 1998. For a short time of 2 years, he worked in the circulation department for the Press & Dakotan newspaper. For the last 12 years, Garry and Barb made thousands of jars of jelly for their business, Lip Smackin’ Jellies.
In his spare time, he enjoyed fishing, playing pinochle, and watching basketball and Nascar. He also loved carpentry and landscaping. Through the years, Garry could be found playing Atari with his kids or playing on the floor with his grandkids. He had a great love for food. He had extraordinary skill of application of numbers and detailed organization.
Garry passed away surrounded by family on Saturday, March 24, 2018 at Oak View Terrace Nursing Home in Freeman, South Dakota having attained the age of 72 years, 2 months, and 20 days.
He is survived and remembered by his wife of over 50 years, Barbara Johnson of Freeman, SD; children: Darrel (Mary Jo & Ally) Johnson of Freeman and Sheryl (Grant) Bakke of Brandon, SD; grandchildren: Sarah Johnson of Brandon, SD, Heather Johnson of Brandon, SD, Andy Johnson of Yankton, SD, and Alex Ask of Brandon, SD; sister Bonnie Kampen of Kokomo, IN; brother David (Marcia) Kampen of Tucson, AZ; and many in-laws, nieces, nephews, and friends.

one hour prior to service