Jerry D. Johnson

Jerry Dale Johnson, age 83, of Chicago, IL passed away peacefully on April 2, 2025. He is survived by his loving wife Karen Johnson, and is the proud father of son Marc Stuart Johnson and daughter Jennifer Anne Wang, and the proud grandfather of five grandchildren and one great grandchild. He has one brother, Ronald Gale Johnson, and a sister-in law Diane Johnson, and nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents Dale and Louise Johnson.

Jerry grew up in the town of Galesburg, IL where he began singing when he was five years old in church and school choirs and graduated from Knox College with a degree in Mathematics. He received his PhD in Statistics from U.C. Davis in California and started his career using his statistical skills at Lockheed Martin in Sunnyvale CA. For over three decades he had executive roles in Regulatory Affairs in several pharmaceutical companies in the San Francisco Bay Area, Atlanta and Chicago area. Jerry had a zest for life and did everything with excellence, from statistical analysis to baking his much enjoyed pies and cookies.

Retirement didn’t slow him down, but enabled him to spend more time helping others in need, and to further pursue his passion and curiosity for many of the arts, especially music. He was thankful for two brilliant professional musicians who spent time with him and taught him the various techniques and aspects of music: Nile Norton in Northern California and David Bloom’s Chicago School of Jazz. Jerry’s musical talent grew and was beyond exceptional. He was a singer, songwriter, teacher, and arranger and had a diverse repertoire, from jazz to opera. Jerry will be missed by his students at HHW School in After School Matters program where he volunteered numerous hours teaching the teenagers music. He especially loved introducing his students to the elements of jazz and spirituals. In later years when he had severe hearing loss, Jerry shifted from singing to composing, and arranging and producing his own albums.

Jerry was born a Chicago Cubs fan surrounded by very passionate family Cub fans. He scored in detail thousands of Cub games. One of his highlights was singing the National Anthem at a Cub’s game in Wrigley Field. A bigger highlight was marrying his wife Karen. For 44 years they celebrated life together by volunteering for church and community, spending time with friends, and going to theaters and concerts, and countless Cub games. They traveled all over the world, but his favorite trips were to visit his son and daughter and family. He was the family historian and patiently endured moans and groans to gather the family for yet another group photo. His pictures now are so precious to us.

Jerry and Karen have been active members of Fourth Presbyterian Church in Chicago for over thirty years. Jerry was involved in many committees and activities, including serving as an elder. He had a passion for social justice and in recent years voraciously read books and took Fourth Church training courses on racism, and went on Fourth Church Civil Rights Tours to educate himself and help others in promoting justice for everyone.

Jerry was thrilled when he was invited to join the Fourth Presbyterian Church Morning Choir He cherished his time singing with the choir and formed everlasting friendships with the choir members.

Jerry was a true Renaissance man who passionately lived out his belief of God, his love of the arts, and his talent of music, which he generously shared with all of us. His legacy lives on through his music, his photos, his extensive journal, and most importantly through the kindness shown to those blessed to know Him. Jerry lit up a room with his infectious smile. His smile, his confidence, and his courageous approach to life were contagious! A Memorial Service will be held Friday, May 9 at 2:00 pm followed by a Reception at 3:00pm at Fourth Presbyterian Church, Chicago IL.

DONATIONS Jerry’s body is donated to the Anatomical Gift Association of Illinois providing research and learning for the medical students.

Donate to Charity 1) HHW School for Performing Arts/gofundme This is the Vocal Arts Training for Teenagers in Chicago 2) fourthchurchh.org/give choose to give to Music