Gary Joe Johnson

Obituary

Gary Joe Johnson

August 11, 1944- October 31, 2022

Gary Joe Johnson, 78, passed away on October 31, 2022 after a short battle with Leukemia, at the Wyoming Retirement Center in Basin, Wyoming.

"Joe" was born to Clarence Theodore and Viola Marie (Ford) Johnson in Chehalis, Washington on August 11, 1944.

Joe was the youngest of 6 children. His family moved from Washington to Montana and finally settled in Laramie, Wyoming. Growing up he learned carpentry from his dad, and cooking and baking from his mom. Joe graduated from Laramie Senior High School in 1963. He worked alongside his mother at Dunn's Coffee Shop where he would meet Bunny Howery, his future wife. The two were married in September of 1964. Joe worked for the Post Office for several years, beginning in Laramie and then transferring up to Missoula, Montana. In 1970 Joe was transferred to Jackson Hole, Wyoming, where he and Bunny welcomed their first daughter, Dawn. Their next move was to Salt Lake City, where many of Joe's family lived. In 1975 they welcomed their 2nd daughter, Naomi.

Joe loved music. He participated in band and choir in high school. He played the Sousaphone and sang bass. Actually, he could play several instruments which eventually led to him playing bass guitar in a Country and Western band. Bunny would sing with the band and they traveled across Wyoming playing gigs. Joe continued this when they moved to Utah. In SLC he joined a barbershop quartet. He performed and competed with them for years. He said that this was the greatest experience in his life.

After leaving the Post Office, Joe worked construction. He also earned his mechanic certification, allowing him to work with another thing he loved, cars.

Joe and Bunny eventually returned to Laramie and started an at home pet care business called Pampered Pets. He had several pets, of which his favorites were "Princeton" , a little poodle, who has passed, and "Beep" , the cat that claimed him as her person. "Beep" went to visit him in the hospital several times, she didn't care where she was as long as Joe was in the room.

Joe loved family history, spending time with his siblings, woodworking, cars, animals, fishing, everything music, especially old Country music like Hank Williams Sr. and Patsy Cline, he also loved old Westerns. He was an amazing cook and loved to share what he knew. He also had a vast knowledge of the history of Laramie.

Joe struggled with COPD and his health later in life and Bunny developed dementia. They were moved to Worland to be closer to Naomi and her family. Bunny was moved into the Wyoming Retirement Center. Joe had weekly Zoom meetings with her when he could.

On October 1st, Joe, Naomi and Jason (his son-in-law) sat with the doctor and were told that he had Myeloid Leukemia, which would take his life very soon. He was admitted to the WRC which allowed him to spend his last days with his wife, Bunny. Joe told Bunny that he "probably had until Halloween", which happened to be his parents' wedding anniversary, and true to his word, he passed on the 31st at 7:51pm

Joe is preceded in death by his parents; sister, Maxine Hiltz; brothers, Ron, Duaine, Alex and Sig Johnson.

He is survived by his love, Bunny Johnson; brother-in-law, Del (Emily) Howery of Pavilion; daughters, Dawn Johnson (Chris Hernandez) of Laramie and Naomi (Jason) Durrant of Worland; grandchildren: Spencer, Sariah, Gabriel, Caleb, Jacob Joey, and Ellie Durrant and Samantha Johnson; his cat "Beep" and several nieces and nephews.

Cremation has taken place. Services will be held 3:00 PM, November 9, 2022 at the Bryant Funeral Home chapel in Worland, and in Laramie, WY TBD. Memorial donations may be made to assist with funeral expenses and sent to Bryant Funeral Home P.O. Box 524 Worland, WY 82401. Online condolences may be made at www.bryantfuneralhomeonline.com.