Jerry Dale Johnson, age 83, of Chicago IL passed away peacefully on April 2, 2025. He is survived by his wife, Karen Johnson, son Marc Stuart Johnson, daughter Jennifer Anne Wang, five grandchildren, and one great- grandchild. He is also survived by one brother, Ronald Gale Johnson and sister-in law, Diane Johnson. A memorial service will be held Friday, May 9 at 2:00pm, followed by a reception at 3:00pm at Fourth Presbyterian Church, 126 E. Chestnut Street, Chicago, IL. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to fourthchurch.org
John Sauter
Jerry was a good guy, an excellent singer (he sang at Wrigley!!!), and an ever-loyal Cubbies fan!!! He was also a great GHS/Knox grad, among many of us!! We will miss you, Jerry!!! So long, good friend!! I am sure that you are in a very good and special place!!!
Howard Haradon
Jerry, Thank you for being a good high school friend. I hope that you found peace of mind.
Hod
Mike Wald
Farewell, Swede…Lifetime friends and chat buddies to the end…Fellow long-time suffering Cubbies’ fans… Intelligentsia…the mini-reunions in Chicago and Hawaii…Great musician and jazz pianist par excellence…SilverChords…And that voice!...A Capella choir… Boys’ Octet…Still get chills remembering you singing those beautiful strains of “Springtime, You’re Looking Lovelier Than Ever” in the GHS musical “Where’s Charley?”…And as you closed every e-message, "Wrap your troubles in dreams and dream your troubles away." Goodbye dear friend -- It’s been a life well-lived.
Ann Black (Larson)
What a nice guy--so friendly and kind. I have lovely memories of Jerry starting at Silas Willard School Ann Black Larson
Suzanne Johnson (Davis)
Jerry brought joy to our high school days, especially with music. I recall all those special times that Mike mentioned. I can see him still pounding the piano with the Silver Chords. He will be missed.
Suzanne Johnson Davis
Lowell Peterson
It was with real sadness that I read of the passing of Jerry Johnson. Jerry and I were quite active in the Emmanuel United Methodist Church. We were in the same Sunday School and Bible School classes. Methodist Youth Fellowship(MYF}, choirs and church band, etc. I remember MYF pingpong games. These got serious--Pastors had trouble getting us to stop playing so we could have a lesson in the chapel. The church had a softball team. We might win one game a year but that would be by forfeit. We tried
Ball playing was serious. Jerry, his cousin Allen Suydam, and I would gather at the empty lot on East Peck St. next to the Burlington tracks and the hobo emcampments that were there.. We would practice hitting and fielding and dreamed of being stars but we lacked one thing: athletic talent. We had a little problem, Jerry was an avid Cub fan and I cheered for the Brooklyn Dodgers.
We also enjoyed playng Monopoly game in my family's old home, It had a special room(the sleeping porch) where the game board ,could left on the floor for several days till the game was over.
Those were good old days, I regret that we could not get together more later but geography and other factors got in the way. May God's blesings be with you, Jerry, now and forever.
Lowell Peterson
Judy Buck (Shotts Cornett)
A flood of wonderful memories are pouring over me. Jerry and David Shotts were good friends and I was allowed to share in that friendship for many years. Jerry was our first daughter's Godfather and was present at her baptism at the Methodist church in Galesburg in 1961. He sang at her wedding and to this day I regret the song we selected did not showcase his incredible voice adequately.
Hearing him sing at the Cubs game was a thrill. He would be loving the start of this season, especially that big win over the Dodgers. I enjoyed reading all the comments from fellow intelligencia guys. My thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends.
Jennefer Wetherford (Eldert)
Sympathy for Jerry's families & longtime friends.Prayers