Gerald Cowing Johnson (Johnson)
August 18, 1934 — July 23, 2012
Rev. Dr. Gerald Johnson 77, passed away July 23, 2012 at Living Center West, Cedar Rapids, Iowa. A memorial is planned for September 29, 2012 at 2:00 p.m. It will be held at First Presbyterian Church in Joliet, Illinois.
Greeting him in heaven are daughter, Pamela Jane and parents, Floyd and Leila Johnson. Surviving are two daughters, Judith Johnson of Ignacio, CO and Jennifer (Darryl) Risting of Cedar Rapids, IA; three step-children, John (Pamela) Wirt, Jamie (Chris) Wirt and Alicia (Steven) Fox; and four step-grandchildren.
Gerald was born in Souix City, Iowa, on August 18, 1934. Growing up in Estherville, Iowa he was a lineman for the Bell Telephone Company before attending the University of Dubuque. He received his B.A. in English and the Masters of Sacred Theology there. He went on to receive his Doctor of Ministry in Pschotherapy from Chicago Theological Seminary in 1984. Gerald’s life as a minister, hospital chaplain and teacher/mentor in clinical pastoral education touched many. Gerald had a wonderful way of connecting with people. His esteemed career lead him Iowa to Illinois and New York. Gerald married Barbara Overholt in 1958. They had three daughters. They lived their early years of marriage in Iowa and then moved to Joliet, Illinois; after 18 years of marriage, they divorced. He married Constance Cowing in 1978. They lived in Joliet with his daughters and her three children. The combined family had great adventures every year on vacation. They traveled all over the United States. Gerald enjoyed all the activities of the kids during their school years. Gerald and Connie moved to New York after all the kids left for college and moved away. Gerald’s greatest pleasure was sailing. His love for sailing began as a boy on Spirit Lake. He brought that joy of sailing with him to Chicago and New York. His other passions in life include: photography, traveling, woodworking, reading and journaling. He enjoyed visiting his daughter Judith in Colorado where he connected with many of her students and families. He spent his last years in Cedar Rapids where is daughter Jennifer took care of him. Everyone with whom he came into contact with fell in love with his charm and witty sense of humor. Gerald, “Dear ole dad,” is greatly missed but resides in our hearts forever.
Greeting him in heaven are daughter, Pamela Jane and parents, Floyd and Leila Johnson. Surviving are two daughters, Judith Johnson of Ignacio, CO and Jennifer (Darryl) Risting of Cedar Rapids, IA; three step-children, John (Pamela) Wirt, Jamie (Chris) Wirt and Alicia (Steven) Fox; and four step-grandchildren.
Gerald was born in Souix City, Iowa, on August 18, 1934. Growing up in Estherville, Iowa he was a lineman for the Bell Telephone Company before attending the University of Dubuque. He received his B.A. in English and the Masters of Sacred Theology there. He went on to receive his Doctor of Ministry in Pschotherapy from Chicago Theological Seminary in 1984. Gerald’s life as a minister, hospital chaplain and teacher/mentor in clinical pastoral education touched many. Gerald had a wonderful way of connecting with people. His esteemed career lead him Iowa to Illinois and New York. Gerald married Barbara Overholt in 1958. They had three daughters. They lived their early years of marriage in Iowa and then moved to Joliet, Illinois; after 18 years of marriage, they divorced. He married Constance Cowing in 1978. They lived in Joliet with his daughters and her three children. The combined family had great adventures every year on vacation. They traveled all over the United States. Gerald enjoyed all the activities of the kids during their school years. Gerald and Connie moved to New York after all the kids left for college and moved away. Gerald’s greatest pleasure was sailing. His love for sailing began as a boy on Spirit Lake. He brought that joy of sailing with him to Chicago and New York. His other passions in life include: photography, traveling, woodworking, reading and journaling. He enjoyed visiting his daughter Judith in Colorado where he connected with many of her students and families. He spent his last years in Cedar Rapids where is daughter Jennifer took care of him. Everyone with whom he came into contact with fell in love with his charm and witty sense of humor. Gerald, “Dear ole dad,” is greatly missed but resides in our hearts forever.
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