Gary was born in Chicago, Illinois on July 24, 1943, the son of Lillian Aline Johnsen (nee Larsen) and John Egil Johnsen. He graduated from Mather High School in Chicago, Illinois and received an associate degree in business from Arapahoe Community College in Denver, Colorado. He was employed by several large banks and retired from US Bank as Bank Operations Officer.
Gary was a long-time member of Centennial Lutheran Church. He enjoyed reading history, fishing, camping, traveling, and loved researching family genealogy. He will be remembered for his love of family, his phenomenal memory, and his ability to share his knowledge with others. He was a great mentor to many people in both his personal and professional life. His philosophy in life was to be fair, to be firm and to be consistent. He believed in helping others whenever and wherever possible if he was able.
He is survived by his wife, Janis; children, Maria (Phillip) Raush (nee Johnsen) and Skylar Johnsen; long-term foster children, Jackie Thompson (nee Young), William Joseph Young, and Samantha Miller (nee Smith); sisters, Anita (John) Sherrill, Louise (Ken) Ito, and Beverly (Frank) Gruendner; and many grandchildren, nieces, and nephews. He was preceded in death by his brother, Gregory Mark, mother, Lillian, father, John, and his loving grandparents, Marie and Berge Larsen and Thorny and Johan Johnsen.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Special Olympics Colorado, 12450 E. Arapahoe Road, Suite C, Centennial, CO 80112.
