Gayle C. Johnson
Gayle Clayton Johnson was born the only child to Clayton W. Johnson and Edythe R (Swanson) Johnson on March 2, 1935, at Ong. He passed away on Jan. 25, 2022, in Scottsdale, AZ, at the age of 86 years, 10 months, and 23 days.
Gayle graduated high school from Ong. He was always very proud to have been an Ong Red Devil and told many stories of he and his basketball team’s successes. He attended Kearney State College where he achieved his Master’s degree in education. He was a very good athlete and competed for Kearney State in both basketball and track all four years.
On June 26, 1955, Gayle married Barbara Johnson at the Methodist church in Davenport, and to them four children were born.
He and Barbara loved to travel in their motorhome and ride motorcycles. They joined a club called Bus N Bikers. It was open only to members who drove the type of motorhome that they drove and also rode motorcycles. They enjoyed this so much that their license plate said “BusNBiker,” and, etched in their headstone is a silhouette of their motorhome. They spent 25 winters in Arizona and visited all the western and southern states.
Gayle’s first job was at Giltner Public School. He taught business, and served as basketball and track coach. Upon completing his Master’s degree, he went on to become superintendent at Trumbull. He was in the school system for six years before returning home to Ong in 1963 to farm with his father.
He and his father (Flap) also sold Pioneer seed. Although he left it as a profession, he continued to instill the value of education to all his family members. He retired from farming in 1998, but never stopped learning and challenging himself. He had learned to fly at an earlier age, and inspired his son, daughter, and wife to learn as well. He was always interested in keeping up with the newest farming techniques and insisted on marketing his own corn, well after he retired.
He developed very good computer skills at an age where many would have given up. He loved his new cars and the technology that went along with them. He certainly knew how to use a smart phone, and with very little help was able to FaceTime; doing so with his family the day before he died. Gayle’s love for athletics never stopped. He enjoyed
Gayle’s love for athletics never stopped. He enjoyed watching his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren compete in whatever sport they played. He was an avid Husker fan and attended many football and volleyball games. He always got a hot dog, and usually came home with mustard somewhere on his shirt.
Following Barbara’s death in June 2005, Gayle met Jean Underwood who would become his companion for the next 16 years. They enjoyed their time in Arizona where he became very close to Jean’s family. Gayle and Jean’s youngest grandson, Soren, developed a special relationship, and especially loved eating a good “dilly bar” together. Gayle leaves behind Jean; her daughters Jennifer, Stephen, and child Soren Stromberg and Laura Tanner and Steve Simon and children Ashleigh, Avery, Rees Simon.
Gayle was preceded in death by his father, Clayton Johnson; his mother, Edythe Johnson; and his wife, Barbara Johnson.
He is survived by his four children; Kim Lichti and husband, Dennis, of Shickley; Steve Johnson and wife, Holly, of Ong, Nancy Lichti and husband, Mike, of Shickley; and Joni McGill and husband, Ryan, of Omaha; sister-in-law, Janice Spurling, of Shickley; eight grandchildren: Jenna Theis and husband, Jeff; Mitchell Lichti and wife, Amanda; Amber Lichti; Tiffany Barnett and husband, Justin; Erica Ferrell and husband, Dan; Miki Loos and husband, Tom; Jillian Hammer and husband, Shaun; and Maddie Taylor and husband, Roby; 17 great-great grandchildren: Finn and Annabelle Blohm, Porter, Ainsley and Riggins Ferrell, Halle and Lexi Theis, Carter, Grace and Adelyn Lichti, Carson and Colten Loos, Hoyt and Dylan Hammer, and Ellynn, Jack, and Harper Taylor; nephews, niece, cousins and many friends.
A Funeral Service for Gayle was on Monday, Jan. 31, 2022 at 10:30 a.m., at the United Methodist Church in Shickley. Pastor Cesar Duran presided over the funeral service. Stanley Johnson accompanied Brianna Steinacher in the singing of “How Great Thou Art” and “The Old Rugged Cross.” The recorded selections “Just A Closer Walk With Thee” and “He Lives” were played as the processional and recessional selections.
Pallbearers for the service included Mitch Lichti, Tom Loos, Jeff Theis, Justin Barnett, Shaun Hammer, Roby Taylor, Dan Ferrell, and Carson Loos. Honorary Pallbearers included A.J. Underwood, Soren Stromberg, Ty Underwood, Rees Simon, and Casey Underwood.
A graveside service was held in the Ong Cemetery following the funeral service.
Farmer & Son Funeral Home was in care of the arrangements and online condolences can be left at www.farmerandsonfuneralhome.com.
Memorials are suggested to the Fillmore County Hospital Foundation.
