Gary Arthur Johnson, 55, died November 5, 2005, of injuries sustained in an automobile accident. Gary was born on May 14, 1950, in Montpelier, Idaho, to Arthur K. and Leah Nora (Tremelling) Johnson. Gary graduated from Bear Lake High School in 1968. Gary was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and was a graduate of the seminary program. During high school he was a member of the Future Farmers of America, where he served in leadership roles. He served in the United States Army from 1970 to 1972, during which time he was stationed in Germany. On August 1, 1981, he married Julie Lynn Wenger in Butte, Montana.
Gary was currently the project coordinator at the Pittsburg and Midway Coal Mining Co.’s Kemmerer Mine. He began his employment at the mine in November 1979, with Morrison-Knudsen. He then transferred to P&M in March 1983. He served in numerous positions including the resident mine engineer. His previous employers included the Idaho State Highway Department and J.R. Simplot. He was a graduate of Idaho State University Vocational-Technical College with an associate degree in civil engineering.
He was a supporter of the Kemmerer Ducks Unlimited, Kemmerer Swim Club and the Kemmerer Booster Club. While living in Georgetown, he was an active member of the Montpelier Lions Club.
Gary enjoyed the outdoors, especially goose hunting in the Georgetown area, along with fishing, and camping. As a kid he loved spending time on the family ranch. He liked to travel the country in his Corvette while listening to music. He enjoyed restoring old cars and was currently working on restoring an old pickup. He enjoyed old time country music and rock & roll, reading books by Louis L’Amour and Patrick McManus and watching westerns on TV.
Most of all, Gary was a family man. He was a proud father that loved spending time supporting his sons in their activities. For several years he and his father-in-law looked forward to attending the NCAA basketball tournaments in Salt Lake.
Gary is survived by his wife, Julie, of Kemmerer, Wyo.; sons, Riley Scott, (16), and Brett Douglas, (15) Johnson, both of Kemmerer, Wyo.; father, Arthur K. Johnson of Georgetown, Idaho; father-in-law and mother-in-law, Ole and Carol Wenger of Butte, Mont.; grandmother-in-law, Lucia Wenger of Butte, Mont.; brother, Richard Hiram (Shannon) Johnson of Georgetown, Idaho; sisters, Leah Linda (Gerry) Bartschi of West Jordan, Utah, and Caroline (George) Standfill of Port Orchard, Wash.; sister-in-law, Sherrie (Jack) Walsh of Butte, Mont.; and nieces and nephews, Sean and Bryan Edwards, Kaleigh Walsh, Mikel Bartschi, Kim Garrett, Jodie Stanley, Jeremy, T.J. and Casey Johnson, and Jason, Shaun, and Jessica Williams. He was preceded in death by his mother, Leah Nora, and grandparents, Hiram and Loe Johnson and William and Leah Tremelling.
Funeral Services will be held in Kemmerer at the LDS Stake Center on Friday, November 18, 2005, at2 p.m., and in the Georgetown, Idaho LDS Church on Saturday, November 19, 2005 at noon. Friends may call the church in Kemmerer one hour prior to serviceson Fridayand in Georgetown from10 to 11:45 a.m. prior to services on Saturday. Interment will be in the Georgetown, Idaho Cemetery. Arrangements under the direction of Crandall Funeral Home, Evanston, Wyo.