Gary Mitchell Johnson

Gary Mitchell Johnson, son of the late William and Kate Johnson, was born on January 16, 1952, in Winter Haven, Florida, and passed away from complications of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease on April 6, 2026. He departed the world peacefully on a beautiful afternoon at his home in Kennesaw, GA, with family at his side.

A United States Navy veteran, Gary served aboard the USS Oklahoma City as a Boatswain's Mate together with his brother Roger during the Vietnam War.

As a professional long-distance delivery driver, he drove over four million miles during his forty-year career. He met many friends on the road and often invited family to join him on his travels.

He loved driving, working on cars, and trying international food. On hot summer days, he loved diving into his backyard pool and napping in the sun. Holidays always involved fireworks and Chinese food. The advent of streaming digital media fascinated him, and he spent much of his later years watching films and TV shows he grew up with, and loved modern dramas like Breaking Bad and Succession.

Like everyone in the Johnson family, he was a lifelong lover of music. He enjoyed playing the guitar, amassed a record collection, and was always eager to exchange music recommendations with others. Whether it was rock and roll, rhythm and blues, or heavy metal, Gary enjoyed his music LOUD. Some of his favorite artists were Linda Ronstadt, Emmylou Harris, Steve Vai, Popa Chubby, Little Richard, and Metallica.

Gary was beloved by all for his sense of humor and remembered fondly for his easygoing nature. More than anything, he loved his family and happily shared their accomplishments with everyone he met.

He is preceded in death by his parents and survived by his wife, Gaile; children, Jamie (Rebekah) and Rory; granddaughter, Garrett Kate; brothers, Roger (Carla) and Bennie (Hazel); sister, Cindy (Kent); and many cousins, nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews, and friends.

A celebration of life will follow in Florida at a later date.