Jerry B Johnson Jr.

Gearold B. “Jerry” Johnson, Jr., age 78, of West Des Moines, died on Wednesday, December 21 at UnityPoint Taylor House Hospice after a prolonged illness. A funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, January 4 at McLaren’s Resthaven Chapel, where the family will receive friends one hour prior to the service. A reception will follow in the Reception Room at McLaren’s. Interment will be held at Iowa Veterans Cemetery.

Jerry grew up in Des Moines and graduated from Lincoln High School, where he was a state-championship swimmer. He enlisted in the US Navy in 1962 and trained at the Naval Missile Center at Point Mugu, CA for two years, followed by a two-year deployment to Vietnam while stationed at Naval Air Station Agana, Guam. He worked at Wilbert Vault Co. with his father upon his return, then began a long career selflessly serving others at Hamilton’s Funeral Homes.

The simplest pleasures in life brought great joy to Jerry. Family, friends, and his pets were most important to him. He actively participated in his children’s and grandchildren’s sports activities, and enjoyed playing recreational softball, waterfowl and gamebird hunting, drag racing and stock car racing, and built and flew radio-controlled airplanes. Life through Jerry’s eyes was unique, and he leaves a powerful legacy that others will always remember.

Survivors include his life partner Debbie Richards and her daughter Ellie Richards, former wife Reta and their children Stacey (Dave) Askland of Milo and Lance (Amy Walters) Johnson of Des Moines. He is also survived by grandchildren Hailey Askland, Emily Askland, Tristan Johnson, Bryce Johnson, Jaycie Johnson, and Arianna Sills, sister Penny (Gene) Dickson of Des Moines, and his nieces and nephews. Jerry was preceded in death by his beloved parents Gearold, Sr. and Leone (Rook) Johnson, sister and brother-in-law Anna Marie “Ree” and Norman Reeves of Norfolk, VA, and lifelong friend Russ (Gina) Waters of Norwalk. He will be missed by many more.

The family welcomes memorial donations made to Disabled American Veterans Charitable Service Trust, 860 Dolwick Drive, Erlanger, KY 41018, or cst.dav.org.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.mclarensresthavenchapel.com for the Johnson Family.