Gary LaVern Johnson, age 79, of Dubuque, IA passed away on July 21, 2026, at 12:47 pm, at MercyOne Dubuque after a brief illness and long ignored diabetic condition.  Family and friends will gather on Tuesday, July 28th, 2026, from 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m., at Behr Funeral Home, 1491 Main Street.  An additional Celebration of Life will be planned at a later date.

Born a twin, on October 18, 1946, in Waukon, IA to Melva Adeline (Grangaard) Johnson and Donald Milton Johnson.  His twin brother James Alan died shortly after birth.  His mother and younger brother David passed in a car accident in December of ’58, an event that would shape many events in his future.  His father Don then passed in June of ’70, “just when as he was getting interesting”.

He graduated from Dubuque Senior High, Class of 1964.  Gary then entered the Navy at age 17 and proudly served aboard the USS Bristol (DD-857), returning home marrying his high school sweetheart Sandra K. Good in November of ’67.  Son James was born in 1972.  Sandra and Gary later divorced in 1977.

Gary’s entire 34 year working career was spent at the phone company (first as Northwestern Bell, later becoming USWest, Qwest, and CenturyLink as he retired).  Starting first in Cedar Rapids, transferring back to Dubuque, and as the result of the Bell breakup in 1982, was “loaned out” traveling to offices throughout the country, and ultimately working in every Telephone Central Office in Eastern and Central Iowa, and nearly every office in Western Iowa.  He also spent several years working in California, Washington and Oregon, and many states in between.  On his first day of retirement, he did a few of those things he loved most, he went out for breakfast, then went fishing with his brother-in-law Floyd.  Dad’s priorities were certainly his own, in retrospect maybe they weren’t so bad.

A free spirit in every sense of the word, Dad enjoyed his biking, either on his Harleys or his road bikes. He participated in RAGBRAI on numerous occasions as a treasured member of the Dubuque Bike Club and was a longtime member of the Mighty Mississippi H.O.G. chapter in Dubuque.  He certainly enjoyed travel and being on the road taking every opportunity along the way to stop and smell the flowers, most likely while he was looking for a tree alongside the road.  Dad’s journeys took him far and wide, playing golf on some of the most coveted courses in Hawaii, California or wherever a set of clubs were at hand.  An avid euchre player and lover of bingo, he seemed to get the most fun out of playing the lottery…and he won often.  Even winning a cruise after sending in his losing tickets.

Having few toys growing up, reading through the set of encyclopedias at home was a way to spend time.  Dad was always filled with knowledge and loved trivia.  His knowledge encompassed many topics which enhanced his storytelling.  If Dad has ever bent your ear, you know stories were not in short supply.

Dad was always giving, and generous.  He had a code that he lived by, we’re not sure there was an actual decoder ring for it, but if so, it may have been hidden somewhere under a stack of this or a box full of that.  His generosity was at times discreet.  He once sneakily told an acquaintance that he would take her car in for an oil change to save her some time.  While there, he had a new set of tires installed to replace the well-worn set.  He didn’t mention it initially, but later admitted to it.  This was one of many examples of his generosity.

Those left to cherish his memory include, son James and his wife Jaime, his only grandson Jack, his two sisters Pat (Floyd) Bolton, Deb (Steve) Johnson, step-parents Lue & Merle Puhrman, step-siblings Steve, Sue (John), Jolene (David), Trisha, Jessica (Michael), and many nieces & nephews.  As well as all of his friends and residents at AVRA Living of East Dubuque, to whom he was deeply connected.

Preceded in death by his mother Adeline, father Donald, twin brother James, brother David, step-sister Judy.

Memorials in Gary’s memory may be mailed to Behr Funeral Home, 1491 Main Street, Dubuque, Iowa, 52001.

Online condolences may be left for the family at www.behrfuneralhome.com