Jerry was the son of Vivian and Bedene (Hendricks) Johnson. Jerry attended Brush Creek grade school, and graduated from Richland Center High School in 1965. He married his high school sweetheart, Cathy Luttig at the Trinity United Methodist Church in Richland Center on June 22, 1968. They purchased their own farm in Avoca, and during this time they were named AMPI district outstanding Young Farm Couple, and went on to rank in the top 10 in the State of Wisconsin. They were members of the Avoca United Methodist Church, where he served as chairman of the administrative board for many years. Jerry was a member of the Avoca Fire Department. Jerry and Cathy became EMTs together in 1986, and he held the position of Avoca Rescue Squad chief for many years. His longtime desire was to enter law enforcement. Following completion of the Law Enforcement Academy, Jerry became a member of the Iowa County Sheriff's Department, and held the position of the Avoca Police chief. Upon acceptance of a full time position with the Richland County Sheriff's Department, Jerry and Cathy and family moved to Richland Center. He held the position as task force deputy until the time of his death. Jerry and Cathy were both currently active as EMTs with Richland County Ambulance Association. Jerry loved spending time on the family Century farm on Brush Creek, spending endless hours working in the woods and caring for the land. The land and Mother Nature were his second love. Any free moment would be spent with his family, especially his grandchildren, whom "Grandpa" would be present for every school function, party or playtime that they wanted him to be at, where he would be with pride, for his grandchildren were the best - just ask him. Survivors include his wife of nearly 39 years, Cathy Johnson; his children, Valerie (Dennis) Schmitz of Appleton, Toby (Rebecca) Johnson of Muscoda, Katrina Johnson of Richland Center, Sara (Matt) Rupp of New Holstein, and Casey Johnson currently serving in Iraq; five grandchildren, Lacy, Tiffany and Jaide Johnson, Alex and Joey Schmitz; his father, Vivian Johnson of Richland Center; his mother-in-law, Marguerite Luttig of Richland Center; brother, Jack Johnson of Richland Center; sister, Jane (Jim) Hansen of Madison; nieces and nephews; and other relatives and many friends. Jerry was preceded in death by his mother, Bedene in 1987; his grandson, Jonathan Johnson in 1994; and his brother, Jim in 1981. Jerry died as a result of a logging accident.