Dr. Jerome Gordon Johnson MD

The world lost a hero when Dr. Jerome G. "JJ" Johnson, MD passed away peacefully at home on September 28, 2025. He was born July 5, 1937 in Little Fork, Minnesota, the son of the late Alvin and Ruth Johnson.

Realizing that the world was too big a place to contain him, he traveled the west coast searching fame and fortune before a calling in medicine brought him back to Minneapolis. He credited Dr. R. D. Hanover, the town physician in the Falls with the inspiration to pursue medicine as a career. Dr Hanover was a true general practitioner who provided JJ with the polio vaccine and also removed his appendix. With this inspiration and an interest in medicine, Jerry was a graduate of the University of Minnesota and the University of Minnesota Medical School.

Following a wave of U of M medical explorers, he came to West Virginia University in 1965 to pursue a residency in general surgery. It was there that he met his wife Nancy, who quickly realized his potential and lassoed him into a happy marriage that lasted until her death in 2001. Following successful completion of a general surgery residency, and a two year stint at Maxwell Gunter Air Force base, in Montgomery, Alabama where he gladly repaid the US government for helping him through his medical education, JJ relocated back to Morgantown.

The sudden death of his sponsoring partner, Dr Maynard Pride, in 1971, submerged him into a busy practice and helped him understand that medicine, and particularly surgery, were both consuming and immensely satisfying. Many in our community can remember when JJ sat attentively at a bedside, guiding a patient and someone's loved one through a tough night. JJ always had time for a patient in need, and happily dedicated his life's work to empathetically providing medical and surgical care.

JJ was a founding partner of Morgantown Surgical Associates and spent an amazing 48 years serving the Morgantown area, working at both West Virginia University Hospital and Mon General Hospital. He was very proud of his accomplishments at Morgantown Surgical, not the least of which were talking two of his four children into a life of dedication to the field of medicine. Katrina, a surgical technician and office manager, and Mark, a fellow surgeon, happily followed in his footsteps consumed by his passion and an unwavering sense of hero worship.

The addicting allure of caring for others delayed his retirement until he had completed an amazing 51 years of the practice of medicine. Adjusting to retirement was one of life's biggest challenges for JJ. Thankfully, his fiancé Mary White, his four children, and his eight grandchildren kept him occupied, but he always longed for the opportunity to once again practice medicine.

Jerry never met a conversation he couldn't enjoy, and loved to dissect any of his children's wild plans, the goings-on of current politics, or anything of importance. The call of "what do you young people think about..." was a summons and not a question that often brought the recipient to their knees. An agile debater, but not one to force his opinion on anyone, he had an endless energy for intellectual discussion. He particularly enjoyed forcing his children to support any of their decisions or life plans, well beyond reason.

Once considering himself an aspiring cellist, he ultimately realized his potential lay elsewhere and pursued medicine. He credited his high school music teacher Benhard Niemi for teaching him the cello, and Judge Hadler for loaning him his first cello. Even though life's plans moved him elsewhere, his love of classical music persisted until his death, and he found comfort in its soothing refrains. An introvert at heart, he enjoyed reading classical literature, and watching old movies.

He is survived by children Mark, (wife Lynn), Jenny McDaniel, Cherise Zeider,( husband Chris), and Katrina Fleming. He leaves eight adoring grandchildren Evan and Berit Johnson, Jackson and Seth McDaniel, Hayden and Alexandra Starcher, and Annaliea and Annika Fleming; and one very special great grandchild, Sakai Rodriguez. He always had a special place in his heart for his niece Cynthia Johnson Lindsay, her daughter Samantha, and grandson Archer.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, Nancy, his fiancée Mary White, and four brothers Roy, Roger, Venzel, and Arthur.

JJ was forever grateful to all of the patients that trusted and believed in him. They inspired him and kept him young. The family is grateful to Alan Hess, MD, a true friend to JJ and wonderful doctor, and Amedisys Hospice care for helping him through his final stage.

Friends may join the family to honor Dr. Johnson's life and legacy at Smith Funeral & Cremation Care, 108 Holland Ave., Westover (304-292-9494) on Thursday, October 2nd from 4:00 pm until 7:30 pm, at which time of sharing of memories will be held to conclude the visitation. Dr. Johnson will then be cremated, and laid to rest with his wife at Beverly Hills Memorial Gardens.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the Mon Health Medical Center Foundation in honor of the Jerome G. Johnson, MD and Nancy C. Johnson, RN Fund, 1200 JD Anderson Dr., Morgantown, WV 26505.

Condolences and other gifts of comfort may be offered to the family at www.smithfcc.com.