Jeffrey David Johnson, age 71, of The Villages, FL, passed away peacefully in his home on Sunday, January 17, 2016. Born in Duluth, MN he was a son of the late Jack and Milador Johnson.
He leaves behind his loving wife Sue of 35 years, 3 sons, James, Mark and Brad, grandchildren, Alexandra, Wynter, Gage, Bo, Kielly, and Penny. He is preceded in death by two sisters Jacquie and Gayle (Jack) and step-brother Craig. He has a step brother and step sister, Nancy (Jerry) and Kip. He was a strong and steady presence in all of his nieces and nephews lives. They were like another family of sons and daughters. To them, he was known lovingly as “Unc”.
His legacy includes his lifelong commitment to our country. He was a retired military veteran having served 25 years in the Navy and Air National Guard, 148th Unit, Duluth, MN. This loyalty was reflected in all of his actions.
In Minnesota, he was the Business Manager at Mash-Ka-Wisen Treatment Center in Sawyer, MN. In the happy years he spent in retirement he was respected as a good friend to many. He had a very special relationship with his “pro golfers” in the Villages, most notably the “Lee Brothers”. This brotherhood called him “Gnar”. He valued the relationships he had both old and new and was always the first to offer help.
A Mass will be held at St. Timothy’s Catholic Church at 8:30 a.m. on Saturday, January 23rd. A Celebration of his life will be made at the Eisenhower Recreation Center in the Villages at Noon.
He was scheduled to go on an Honor Flight to Washington DC in March, so in lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Honor Flight for other deserving military veterans.
