Gary L. Johnson

Gary LaVern Johnson, age 79, of Dubuque passed away July 21, 2026, at 12:47 p.m., at MercyOne Dubuque after a brief illness. Family and friends will gather Sunday, August 16 from 12-3 p.m. at the Waterville Church for a celebration of life.

He was born a twin October 18, 1946 in Waukon to Melva Adeline (Grangaard) Johnson and Donald Milton Johnson. His twin brother James Alan died shortly after birth. His mother and younger brother David passed in a car accident in December of 1958. His father Don then passed in June of 1970, “just when he was getting interesting”.

He graduated from Dubuque Senior High, Class of 1964. Gary then entered the Navy at age 17 and proudly served aboard the USS Bristol (DD-857), returning home and marrying his high school sweetheart, Sandra K. Good, in November of 1967. Their son James was born in 1972. Sandra and Gary later divorced in 1977.

Gary’s entire 34-year working career was spent at the phone company in Dubuque, where he retired. On his first day of retirement, he did a few of those things he loved most, he went out for breakfast, then went fishing with his brother-in-law Floyd.

Dad enjoyed his biking, either on his Harleys or his road bikes. He participated in RAGBRAI, Dubuque Bike Club and the Mighty Mississippi H.O.G. chapter in Dubuque. Dad’s journeys took him far and wide, playing golf in Hawaii, California or wherever a set of clubs were. An avid euchre player and lover of bingo, he seemed to get the most fun out of playing the lottery…and he won often.

Dad was always filled with knowledge and loved trivia. His knowledge encompassed many topics which enhanced his storytelling. Dad was always giving, and generous.

Those left to cherish his memory include his son James and his wife Jaime; his only grandson Jack; his step-daughter Jessica (John) Unterberger, his two sisters, Pat (Floyd) Bolton and Deb (Steve) Johnson; his step-parents, Lue and Merle Puhrman; his step-siblings, Steve, Sue (John), Jolene (David), Trisha, and Jessica (Michael); and many nieces and nephews; as well as all of his friends and residents at Ahva Living of East Dubuque, to whom he was deeply connected.

He was preceded in death by his mother Adeline; his father Donald; his twin brother James; his brother David; and his step-sister Judy.