Birth Date: 07/19/1958
Deceased Date: 05/18/2024
Gary Raymond Johnson passed away on May 18, 2024 at ECU Health of Edgecombe in Tarboro. Gary was born in Raleigh, NC on July 19, 1958. Graveside Service will be held 2:00PM Thursday, May 23, 2024 in Hills of the Neuse Memorial Gardens in Smithfield, NC. The family will receive friends immediately following the graveside service.
He is survived by his mother, Billie Jewel Johnson of Wake Forest; brother, Michael Johnson of Sanford; sister, Beverly Parmelee (Tom), and two nieces Meg and Macy Parmelee of Wake Forest. Gary was preceded in death by his father, David W. Johnson, and grandparents Roy and Christine Johnson, and Archie and Callie Mae Pope.
Gary grew up in Wilmington and attended New Hanover High School. Many happy years were spent at the Help Center in Wilmington where he could be with be with friends and enjoy community activities such as bowling and swimming. Our family would like to thank the two wonderful teachers, Cathy Chamberlain and Fran Young, who ran the program and made the world a little brighter for Gary.
Anyone who knew Gary knew that what he loved most in the world was his mother and NC State Basketball. His blood most certainly ran NC State Red. Other passions were seek and find puzzles and pinball. In Gary’s younger years he would spend hours at his uncle’s fishing pier playing the pinball machines, he was a pinball wizard.
Gary was a kind and gentle soul. No one was happier than Gary, he always wore a huge smile on his face and was known to dance around. Everyone who knew him, loved him. He will be sorely missed. Heaven just got a little brighter.
In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the Special Olympics of NC.
The family appreciates your thoughts and prayers during this time.
Arrangements by Rose & Graham Funeral Home in Four Oaks, NC.
