Gordon Leroy Johnston

Gordon LeRoy Johnston (Gordy), of Ann Arbor, Michigan died peacefully on February 19, 2025 at the age of 91. He was born on April 14, 1933 in Pontiac, Michigan, the son of Ritchie E. Johnston and Ella L. Johnston (Blair) who preceded him in death.

Gordy graduated from Pontiac High School in 1951 and moved to East Lansing to become a proud Spartan (“Go Green”), where he met his beautiful, future wife, Barb during their freshman year.

Gordy enlisted in the Army in 1952 for a term of three years, where he was assigned to a top-secret Army Security Agency. He was trained as a high speed radio operator and was tasked with intercepting and decoding Russian radio transmissions in Germany. Gordy was honorably discharged in the spring of 1955 as a Sergeant having earned three medals during his service: National Defense Service Medal, Good Conduct Medal, Army of Occupation Medal (Germany).

Gordy returned to Michigan State University following his military service and married his sweetheart, Barb, on September 10, 1955. He graduated with his Bachelor of Arts degree in 1958. Following his graduation, Gordy taught fifth grade for Dye Community Schools in Flint, Michigan for one year. He then returned to his hometown of Pontiac and taught English in the junior and senior high schools. In 1961 Gordy accepted a teaching job with Ann Arbor Public Schools teaching eighth and ninth grade English. When Huron High School was opened in 1969, Gordy joined the staff of the English Department teaching there for rest of his career and making many life-long friends.

Gordy earned his Master of Arts degree from the University of Michigan and was later asked to come to Cambridge and teach in Harvard’s Master of Arts in Teaching program. This was an intensive M.A. curriculum for graduate teaching interns. Gordy immensely enjoyed his work there and returned for many summers to mentor future teachers.

After Gordy retired from his teaching career, he decided that he would take on a part-time job to help keep busy. He accepted a position as a Deputy Clerk for the United States District Court (Eastern District) in Ann Arbor in 1992. He stayed with the court until his retirement there in 1999.

Gordy was preceded in death by his wife of 52 years, Barb, in 2007. He is survived by his children; Steven (Janice) of St. Petersburg, Florida; Susan (Philip) King of Dexter, Michigan; and Amy Baroni of Broken Arrow, Oklahoma.

Gordy leaves behind seven grandchildren who adored him; Alex Johnston, Scott King, Daniel King, Sarah Mahatzke (King), Libby Baroni, Risa Baroni and Dominic Baroni. He will also be deeply missed by his eight great-grandchildren; Molly, Addison, Matthew, Carly, Emily, Westley, Sutton and baby Emerson.

Gordy loved people and especially enjoyed the company of children. He performed many magic tricks with his favorite being the “Ancient String Weaving Trick”. He had a deep love for animals having had many pets throughout his life. He enjoyed reading, his cottage on Lake Huron in Canada, riding his bike (electric tricycle later in life), and tormenting his family by successfully guessing each Christmas present before he opened it. He especially enjoyed his Tuesday breakfasts at Bells with his retired teacher friends.

Gordy was gregarious, generous and witty. Although his dementia robbed him of many memories, he never lost his sense of humor. A couple of weeks before his death, as he was settling into his chair for a nap, he said to me, “I’m ready to go.” I asked, “Where are you going?” Dad opened his eyes and said with a grin, “Chicago…what do you think?” I was delighted to see that he could still make me laugh. He will be deeply missed by his family and friends.

There will be a public Celebration of Life gathering from 12-1 p.m. followed immediately by a Memorial Service at Muehlig Funeral Chapel, 403 S. Fourth Ave , Ann Arbor, Michigan on Friday, February 28, 2025. In lieu of flowers the family asks that donations be made to the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America.