Gary D. Johnson

Our father, Gary Duane Johnson, left us on August 16 th , 2025. It is with heavy hearts that we bid him farewell, but we are comforted by knowing that he is reunited with his “Effie”. Mom left us only a few weeks ago and no one would dispute that our dad died from a broken heart. Fay was his world, and he was devoted to her during their 72 years of marriage. Together they built a life of love, happiness, fun, and never-ending stories to share.

Gary was born to Theodore and Marion Johnson on March 16, 1934. Growing up he worked on his father’s dairy farm alongside his brother and parents. He graduated from Newark Valley High School in 1952. Attending night school for electrical engineering, Gary eventually left the family farm and enjoyed a long, successful career with Universal Instruments. He was instrumental in developing machines for inserting components into PC boards and held at least one patent.

In 1970 Gary joined the Sand Pond Club, a hunting camp in the Adirondacks. Family vacations were spent there hiking the beautiful woods, exploring streams and swimming in the lakes, each day ending with laughs around the campfire. Annual family trips to “camp” eventually included spouses, grandchildren, and even great grandchildren, and continue to the present day. Dad spent a lot of time at camp with our brother Mark and formed many close and lasting friendships. Fellow camp members Fred Valentine and Ken Hess worked with dad in making many improvements to camp property over the years.

A skilled artist and woodworker, dad loved working in his shop making things to share. Each member of the Sand Pond Club received personalized wood plaques featuring birds and animals to hang over their bunks. He also created a large camp sign, trail signs and even a life-sized bear carving that stood in the center of the yard at camp. Other projects included bird houses, wooden chests, nutcrackers, and beautifully carved and painted fish that became gifts for children and grandchildren. His talents will be greatly missed.

Gary is survived by his children Mark Johnson, Beth Scales, Susie (Phil) Whalen, Wendy (Chris) Hill, Laura Johnson, and Brian Johnson, fifteen grandchildren and sixteen great grandchildren. Gary is also survived by his brothers and sisters in-law Bill and Connie Evans, Tom and Joan Evans, Bill and Catherine Geise, as well as many beloved nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his loving wife, Fay Seal Evans Johnson, his son-in-law Jim Scales, his grandson, Rion Kerr and his brother Warren Johnson.

Dad, you were truly one of a kind and we will miss you terribly. 

A memorial service will be held Saturday, August 30, 2025, at the MacPherson Funeral Home, 5 Whig Street, Newark Valley, NY, at 1:00p.m. A period of visitation will take place from 11:00 a.m., until the time of service. Memories and condolences can be shared in Gary's guestbook at www.macphersonfh.com