On the morning of October 9, 2024, Gary W. Johnson passed away of Lewy Body Dementia at St. Vincent Healthcare. He was 74 years old.
Gary was born in Miles City at Holy Rosary Hospital on January 1, 1950. He was Holy Rosary’s first baby that year and the first of three sons born to Ted and Mary Ann Johnson.
Starting at a young age, Gary was fascinated with seeing how things were put together, so he would take them apart and rebuild them. He was known in the local area for being the top calf wrestler during branding season. From being a member of a sheep shearing crew to breaking young horses alongside his brothers to logging many hours flying an airplane, Gary was always busy.
Gary ranched with his parents and brothers on the Big Porcupine Creek, and he had a mechanics business rebuilding anything from small engines to heavy equipment.
He enjoyed carpentry work and could build anything–from small detailed cabinets to the enclosed porches he built with his brothers and all the projects in between. He raised pigs for over a decade and could plumb anything, from houses to cow waterers. Gary enjoyed surveying and moving dirt for dams, dikes, and reservoirs.
Gary married Mona, August 16, 1975. They have one daughter, Barb. Barb, from a young age, was her dad’s shadow, learning how to do everything her dad could do.
He is preceded in death by both parents and his favorite uncle Elmer. He is survived by his wife of 49 years, Mona, and their daughter, Barb, by brothers Ron and Dan (MaryAnn), and many nieces and nephews.
Julie (LaBree) Stephens says
Oh no!
To the Johnson families,
I am so sorry for your loss. Too young to have to leave this earthly world. You are in my thoughts and prayers that the memories bring peace to your heart and smiles on your faces.
Jack and Beverly Nile says
So sorry for your loss. Sending you all prayers to give you strength during this difficult time.
Rita and Bill FitzGerald says
Sometimes you are at a loss for words!! Gary was synonymous with hard work, talent, stability and a real treasure for the community! Remember when 50 seemed so old??!! Well, 74 is young and should be the time you really share with the younger generation. Loosing Gary is a great loss to our younger generation!
Prayers to all the Johnson family!!
Martha Crandall says
I am so sorry. My sympathy.
Connie and Ron Watts says
Mona, we are so sorry for the loss of your husnband. May God’s comfort be with you and your family at this time.
Connie and Ron Watts says
Mona, we are so sorry for the loss of your husband. May God’s comfort be with you and your family at this time.
Guy Lund says
Mona, so sorry to hear of Gary’s passing. Gone too soon. Thoughts are with you.
Kay and Rocky Berdahl says
Mona and all the Johnson family,
Sorry for your loss and prayers for you during this difficult time. Shocked to hear of Gary’s passing.
Sandy Russiff Rabe says
Mona, I am so sorry to hear of Gary’s passing. May God provide you with comfort from many wonderful memories. God Bless.
Tom~Lillian Ostendorf says
This is sad news, we are very sorry to hear. Our sincere condolences to you Mona and your family. Prayers and hugs.
Deb Bartholomew and Family says
Mona & Family and all the Johnson Family
I am so very sorry for your loss of Gary. Always remember “When A Loved One Becomes A Memory That Memory Becomes A Treasure”. Gary will always be Treasure in your hearts and not forgotten. Treasure your memories as they will help get you thru difficult times ahead. My thoughts and prayers are with you all.
Ab says
Forgot more than most people will ever know.
barb and jerry mickell says
mona and barb we are so sorry. the world is a much poorer world without gary.
Diana Elwood says
Mona, I am so sorry to hear of your loss. May your family and friends surround you with love and support, and God hold you in His hands.
Deb and Bob Hagemeister says
Mona and families. So sorry to hear about Gary. Sending hugs and prayers! Deb and Bob
Sheila Newman says
Mona and Barb- our family sends love and hugs to you. We are so sorry to hear of Gary’s passing.
Sheila Newman, Doug Flint 💔
Laura Lee Ullrich says
Mona,and family, We are so very sorry to hear of Gary,s passing. Way too young. Just know we will be remembering you all in prayer in the days to come. Treasure the memories, and let God carry you through the pain and heartache. God bless…Vic and Laura Lee
Rita Watson says
My sincere condolences to Mona and the Johnson family. Gary was a good man—Dale thought a lot of him.
Mike Archdale says
Mona, so sorry to hear this sad news. This is a shocker to me. Time slips away so easy. Great memories of the Johnson Family from the Big Porcupine Creek. Thoughts and prayers for the Johnson Family.
Rocky and Carol Plympton says
We are so sorry to hear of Gary’s passing. Our hearts and prayers go out to you in this time of loss. May the Lord lift you up with His mighty hand of mercy and give you peace and comfort.
Mike Cozzens says
Sorry for your loss always looked forward to visiting with Gary when I delivered feed to the ranch
Ira Gresens says
He was my go to guy when my truck broke down. He helped over haul an old tractor and several other things. Good bye old friend.
Mary Smith Roig says
Mona and family. I’m so terribly sad for your loss. Gary was a great man.
My prayers and go out to you all
Theodore Smith says
Thoughts and prayers. I’m so sorry for your loss. Gary was a wonderful guy
Mary Smith says
Thoughts and prayers. I’m so sorry for your loss. Gary was a wonderful guy
Connie Brown says
Mona and Barb,
So sorry for your loss. Treasure your memories!
Shirley A Rolf says
Mona and Barb, so sorry for your loss of Gary
Robert Dellit says
Mona, sorry to hear about Gary passing away, I will always cherish the times we visited and working on a 1950 Oshkosh that is still running today and the many other things Gary helped me with over the years, he was a master at fixing things, he will be in our hearts forever.Bob & Frances
Jane Logan Viall says
Mona, I am so sorry for Gary to be gone from you at this age. One would expect many more years. I think of you so often when I drive through Forsyth, especially last time I saw you, which was at the grocery store there!! You will be in my prayers and on my heart.
Jonette Doeden says
Mona, Barb and the rest of the Johnson family we are thinking of you all during this time. Gods timing is never wrong but our hearts still hurt. Saying prayers for you all. Dirk and Jonette Doeden💕
Cathy McDowell says
Mona, I was sorry to hear about Gary. He was part of Jerry and my college days in Miles! My deepest sympathies to you and your family on your loss! To the rest of the Johnson Family, so very sorry!
Sheila Solano says
Barb so sorry to heae if your dads passing. Thinking of your family during these hard times. Hold onto your memories and let God guide you
Ellen Smith. Mary Smith Roig says
I’m so sorry for your loss of Gary. My mom sends her love and prayers
George and Diana Schmidt says
So sad to hear about Gary passing. Prayers to the family. He will be missed by friends as well as family.
Amber Bunke says
Sending my condolences to Mona and family.
Doug & Cherie Heser says
Mona and Barb,
We are so sorry to learn of the extent of Gary’s illness and his death. We know he is whole again and in a better place. He was a good friend and a very skilled and helpful person. Our thoughts and prayers are with you, and we wish you fond memories and comfort.