Jay A. Johnson

1962 - 2025

Jay A. Johnson

August 23, 1962 - April 24, 2025

Jay A. Johnson, 62, known as "OB" to his friends, passed away peacefully after a long illness on Thursday, April 24, 2025, at MercyOne Medical Center in Waterloo, Iowa with family at his side.

Upon his wishes, he will be cremated and a Celebration of Life gathering of friends and family will be held from 5:00 PM-7:00 PM, Friday, May 2nd, 2025, at Schott Funeral Home, 505 North Clark Street, Forest City.

Jay Adrian Johnson was born August 23, 1962, in Forest City, Iowa. He graduated from high school in 1980, where he was an all-conference basketball and baseball player. After graduation, he attended Waldorf College and Wartburg College and then went on to work for Winnebago Industries where he made many friends that he loved telling stories about. He was also proud that he was able to play a half season of high school basketball and a full season of baseball with his brother Don!

Jay had a great love for sports and in the "good ole days", which Jay always liked talking about, he was an avid slow-pitch softball player and had a real passion for tennis! He and his sister Sue played in several tennis tournaments in the North Iowa area. He had a mean two-handed backhand and a huge serve that won him many trophies he was very proud of.

Some of Jay's favorite pastimes were watching Jeopardy with his friend Doug, who always thought Jay should've been a contestant on the show as he could match wits with anyone. At family get togethers everyone wanted Jay on their team for "Trivial Pursuit" as they knew they would win.

He was a huge Orioles, Packers, and Hawkeyes fan and attended several games over the years with family and friends.

Other highlights in Jay's life were cookouts, anytime, anywhere with his brothers, but especially at Christmas where the marinated meat was always grilling and Jay was always "taste testing", family reunions in Dysart, a trip to the "Indy 500", spending time with friends, Doug, Don and nephew Britt, camping, bonfires and nature in general.

Jay also had a real love for 60's and 70's music. No matter what he was doing or watching, those oldies were always playing! He was the one person anyone could ask if they needed to know a song title, song lyrics or the artist of the song!

Jay's friend, Dan from Arizona, called Jay a "beacon of contagious laughter". He was so much fun to be around. The laughs, which he helped to initiate, were never ending in our family. Jay was truly an amazing person with a lot of compassion and a caring heart. We will miss him more than he would ever know but all the wonderful memories of him will carry us through.

Those left to cherish Jay's memory are his brothers, Dan (Carol) Edmondson, Steve Edmondson, and Don (Lisa) Johnson; sisters, Sue Edmondson, and Janet (Dave) Snyder; lifelong friend, Doug (Cindy) Hines; his beloved dog Sweety; nieces & nephews, Mike (Shawn Keeper) Edmondson, Matt (Sara) Edmondson, Mitch (Paul McKinney) Edmondson, Chris (Amanda) Edmondson, Kelly (Mark Hoffman) Edmondson, Lindsey (Austin) Schneider, Blake (Jessie) Johnson, Mallory (Taylor Dignan) Johnson, and Carly Snyder, plus several great nieces and nephews.

Preceding Jay in death were his mother, Ila Johnson; brother, Tim Edmondson; and nephew, Britt Snyder.

RIP JAY WE LOVE YOU!!

Schott Funeral Homes of Forest City is in charge of arrangements.

www.schottfuneralhomes.com