Jerold Coxon Johnson, age 83, of Early, IA, son of Hubert and Ruth Coxon Johnson, passed away on Monday, July 4th, 2016 at Buena Vista Regional Medical Center. Jerry was born on March 3rd, 1933. He was always proud to say his birth date was “3-3-33”!
Jerry was baptized and confirmed in Our Saviors Lutheran Church in Albert City, IA and later joined the Catholic Church. Upon the death of his mother shortly after birth, he was raised by his Aunt and Uncle, Florence and Harry Moline in Albert City, IA. He graduated from Albert City High School in 1950.
He joined the Navy and served for four years during the Korean Conflict. He proudly looked back on his time in service to his country. As a boiler attender on three different naval ships, the USS Hanna, USS Midway and the USS Intrepid, he traveled across the equator to Guam. He always told his children it was an opportunity to see the world he wouldn’t have seen otherwise. He belonged to the American Legion for 57 years and served as commander for many of these years. He was proud of being a Legionnaire and the work the members did for the community.
On November 30th, 1957, he married Mary Agnes Dahm of Early at Sacred Heart Church. They started their married life in Albert City. They were blessed with eight children. Jerry worked two years at the Albert City Elevator before moving to a farm north of Early where he and his brother-in-law Leo Dahm worked a dairy business. In 1969 the family moved to the town of Early where they reside today. While in Early, Jerry was a salesman for Peet’s Feed, the Early Coop, and the Early Feed and Grain. For a short time he and Ron Drey owned Crossroads Feeds together. He later was a salesman at Nemaha Milling, and upon retiring, he sold insurance for Farmer’s Mutual Insurance.
Jerry’s favorite past time was spending long weekends at their cabin in Okoboji. It is also where the Johnson’s have their yearly summer family reunions. Jerry loved watching all the activities from his perch on the deck. He and Mary also enjoyed traveling to their children’s homes until his health declined. Jerry could be found grilling chicken on Sunday’s and playing euchre with his friends and family.
He is survived by his wife Mary and his eight children: Doug (Trish) Johnson of Dallas, TX; Kent (Kathy) Johnson of Akron, IA; Kevin (Kathy) Johnson of Winterset, IA; Beth Johnson (Brad) of Newell, IA; Brent (Lora) Johnson of Colleyville, TX; Genise (Joel) Jentz of LeMars, IA; Terri (Todd) Craig of Mechanicsburg, PA; and Karol (Chris) Craig of Columbus, IN; grandchildren: Trevor and Alexandra Johnson, Shelby and Tasha Johnson, Darci (Bryon) Bos, CJ and Amanda Johnson, Courtney and Andrea Whitmore, Sofia Johnson, Sarah (Zac) Lane and Aaron Jentz, David, Christopher, and Regan Craig, Rachel, Elizabeth, and Allison Craig; great grandchildren: Mady, Audra, Jack, and Ann Bos; nieces, nephews, and extended family members.
He was preceded in death by his parents Hubert and Ruth Johnson and his step mother Anne Johnson; his Uncle Harry and Aunt Florence Moline who raised him after the death of his mother; his bother Hubert Jr Johnson; his sister Janice Johnson Brown; his lovely granddaughter Kelli Johnson.
