Gerald Johnson

Gerald W. "Bear" Johnson, age 59, of Kahoka, MO, went to be with his Lord on a beautiful Sunday morning, May 2, 2010, at his home surrounded by loved ones.

"Bear" was born May 12, 1950 at Hannibal, MO, a son of Gerald Howard and Jewel Faye Taft Johnson.

On July 24, 1983, he was united in marriage to Carol Ann Walsh in the Kahoka City Park.

He is survived by his devoted wife, Carol, of Kahoka; children: Marc Johnson and his wife, Mary, of Quincy, IL; Corinna Monroe of Kahoka, MO, Candice Arnold and her husband, Rick, of West Point, IA, and Jason Johnson and his wife, Dawn, of Kahoka, MO; ten grand-children: Brittany Rash, Stephanie Johnson and Rebecca Johnson, all of Kahoka, MO, Jeffrey Vineyard of Farmington, IA, Amanda Vineyard and Tressa Lee Vineyard of Farmington, IA, Kirk Monroe of Donnellson, IA, Ashley Hurt of Fort Madison, IA, and Colton Hurt and Heather Jo Hurt of West Point, IA; three precious great grandchildren: Alexis Valentine Rash, Serenity Claire Rash and Baby Rash to be born this May; three sisters: Mary Beth Hoyt and her husband, Garry, of Lancaster, MO, and Kathy Ann Jenkins and Vicki Gray, both of Quincy, IL; sisters-in-law: Linda Gray of Memphis, MO and Kim Herring of Kansas; as well as nieces, nephews and other relatives.

He was preceded in death by his parents and two brothers, Gene Gray and George Herring.

"Bear" graduated from Wyaconda High School. He was an employee of the City of Kahoka during the week and on the weekend carried the mail cross country as a driver for M.C. of A. He was employed by Clark County when he retired due to his health.

He was a faithful member of First Baptist Church of Kahoka and was a member of the Echo Sunday school class.

"Bear" loved to fish and hunt and was a die-hard fan of the Cubs and of Michael Waltrip.

He enjoyed working on "things" and when he couldn't do it himself, enjoyed ordering the boys around with instructions on how to do it for him. He loved the outdoors and with his scooter could race the grandkids to the ice cream stand and manage to win.

He never let his illness get the best of him, he still told his jokes and many stories he was known for and enjoyed a good visit. His family were his treasures and his smile was never as big as when he was hauling grandbabies on his scooter. He was a man who lived his faith and was an inspiration to all who knew him.

Funeral services will be held Tuesday, May 4, 2010 at 10 a.m. at the First Baptist Church in Kahoka with Dr. Rick Seaton and Rev. Matt Hoffman officiating.

Burial will follow in the Kahoka Cemetery.

Friends may call at Wilson Funeral Home after 10 a.m. Monday with family receiving friends from 6-8 p.m.

Memorials in lieu of flowers are suggested to the family or F.B.C. (First Baptist Church) Scholarship Fund.