Jerry Johnson made it to his 84th birthday, Sunday August 2nd and passed away with his wife of 45 years by his side, in the home he built on the land his Great-Grandfather homesteaded in 1869. He was born to Ella K & Jesse Johnson, spending his very early years in Evaro Montana. He grew up in the family home built on Howell Street, attended Lowell Grade School and graduated from Missoula County High School.

While in high school, he was in the Trades & Industry Club and also the Rifle Club. He took some classes at the University, but quickly realized that wasn’t for him. He got hired on at the Frenchtown Paper Mill, which led to a career of 46 years as an Electrician at the mill. Jerry always enjoyed shooting in competitions, shooting Trap on a league, and hunting in the Fall with his father. He joined the National Guard, serving for 12 years and was very proud of his service to the country he loved. He traveled the country winning many rifle competitions and even being involved in quelling a prisoner uprising in the 70’s at the old Montana State Prison. He ended his NG career as a tank driver.

There was not much that Jerry couldn’t do. He always enjoyed being in his large shop, wood-working, welding metal art pieces, and even restoring a Model-T. He built an addition on his first home on Bel Vue Dr, then fulfilled a dream when he built the house on the family property below Evaro Hill. He was always willing to help out a friend, being generous with his time & talents. Those friends usually were out helping him with his projects as well. He was an avid reader and really enjoyed history & specially Montana History. He was a very proud and active member of the Shriner’s and a 32nd Degree Mason. He always enjoyed attending Bannack Days and being a member of the 1st Masonic Lodge in Montana. Jerry was also a UM Grizzly & GB Packer fan.

He married Patricia Shrider and they welcomed a daughter in ‘66. They would later divorce but remained friends. He suffered a major health event when a brain tumor was discovered in ’80. It was the size of an orange, the largest one of its kind that the person survived. He was a fighter, though, spending months in LA with all the specialists. The surgery caused his face to be paralyzed and his sight & hearing permanently affected. But true to form, as soon as he recovered, he was back to work at the mill, back to projects in the shop and re-enlisted in the National Guard. One day his Uncle Wally told him that he had a gal that he really needed to meet. After working a long shift he decided to go out to The Cabin Bar in East Missoula to go dancing. It was the best decision, because he met the love of his life, Rae Jean Hanson. They were married in ’82 and he gained 2 more daughters and a son. He worked so hard providing a good home and family vacations. He instilled that tremendous work-ethic in all of his kids and provided so many good memories of time snowmobiling and summers at the family cabin at Seeley. He had a really good sense of humor and loved a good laugh.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Jesse & Ella, and his son-in-law, Bob Foslid. He is survived by his wife of 45 years, Rae Jean, Daughters: Debbie (Larry) Schock of Missoula, Daughter Gail Foslid of Wisconsin, Son Scott (Meg) Wik and Daughter Dawn (James) Faulkerson of Missoula and a brother, Darrell Johnson of Bellevue, WA. He had 6 Granchildren: Janessa, Jacob, and Jamee Foslid, Spencer Schock, and Ashley & Cody Wik and a Great-Grand daughter, Jayde Osterberg. He had many cousins & good friends, with a special thank you to Debi Brassfield, family-friend. He always loved dogs and even grew to love a cat or two.

A memorial service will be held, Friday, August 14th at 1pm at Sunset Cemetery off Mullan Road. Jerry always loved a good potluck, so if you’d like to bring a side dish or dessert to share, feel free. Dress casual and come to share memories of Jerry.