Gary A. Johnson

Gary A. Johnson, 79 of Aitkin passed away Thursday, September 24, 2020 at Riverwood Health Care Center in Aitkin from complication of cancer.  He was born December 24, 1940 in Aitkin to Alec and Mildred (Tibbetts) Johnson.  Gary spent most of his life in Aitkin where he was the foreman of Mille Lacs Wild Rice Processing and raised cattle for many years.  In the mid 1970’s Gary left Aitkin to go north to Alaska.  He co-owned Superior Roofing in Fairbanks and worked on the Alaskan Pipeline in Point Barrow.  Upon returning to Aitkin in the late 70’s he bought and operated Aitkin Blacktop, later turning it into an environmental remediation business that cleaned contaminated soil for the EPA.  Gary designed and built that business with his lifelong friend Brad Gustin.  After selling that business Gary did dirt work and excavating before retiring.  He was a former member of the Jay C’s, Ducks Unlimited and the American Legion.  

He was preceded in death by his parents Alec and Mildred (Tibbetts) Johnson, brother  Alec, Jr., and sister Patricia Johnson.

Gary is survived by his wife Beverly;

Daughters: Kim (Barry) Sherwood of Mora and Jodi (Dan) Wegge of Aitkin;

Son: Chris (April) Hegman of Aitkin;

Bev’s boys: Steve, Chris, David, and Matt Cluff;

10 grandchildren, 4 great-grandchildren;

Sisters: Carol (Wayne) Vernon and Jackie (James) Reither;

Many other special relatives and friends.

Memorial service will be 1:00P.M. – Monday, October 5, 2020 at Sorensen-Root-Thompson Funeral Home in Aitkin.  Reverend Wendy Hjelmberg will officiate.  Visitation will be 1 hour prior to the service at the funeral home.  Burial will be in Doris Cemetery.  Military honors will be accorded by Aitkin American Legion Lee Post #86 and VFW Roberts-Glad Post #1727.

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