Jerald "Jerry" Johnson Obituary (1947 - 2024)

Jerald "Jerry" Johnson of Presque Isle, ME peacefully passed away on June 15th, 2024, at the Hospice House in Auburn after a short battle with cancer. Born January 15th, 1947, in Presque Isle to Albert and Doris, Jerry was the second of five children and was raised with a very strong work ethic, sense of responsibility, and adherence to duty. Jerry grew up in 1950s Aroostook County where hard work was a must and nothing was a given. Though work was always a part of his upbringing, he was an athlete who loved playing baseball and basketball for the town and schools. As he grew older, he began making the two-mile trek up the Parkhurst Siding Road from the family home to the Presque Isle Country Club to caddy and then to play as many golf holes as daylight would allow. This began his lifelong affair with golf which he played at a high level until he was physically no longer able to play. At the age of twenty, Jerry enlisted into the United States Army and did his basic training at Fort Benning Georgia. During his three years of service, he was deployed to Vietnam from September 1967 to September 1968. He was proud of his service and served honorably (he was awarded many commendations including three bronze stars), but he rarely spoke of it. Upon the completion of his military duties, Jerry attended Husson College in Bangor for business, where he was inducted into their sports hall of fame for his collegiate golf achievements. At the age of twenty-four, Jerry married Carolyn Stock on May 15th, 1971. The couple eventually made their home in Waterville, ME where they had their first son Kyle who was followed three years later by son Brooks. Jerry leveraged his business degree and attended the Holiday Inn School for Management Training. For more than 20 years, he primarily worked as the General manager of the Waterville Holiday Inn under the Erin Corporation; however, the company deployed him throughout the eastern seaboard to help reinvigorate a number of their properties over the years. Jerry had a keen sense of humor and a quick wit, which was appreciated by his family and extensive group of friends. At his peak, he reached 5' 8", only to be undone by back surgeries as he would lament. In addition to being an avid golfer, Jerry thoroughly enjoyed fishing (primarily fly-fishing in his later years), hunting, gardening, reading, and spending time at home with his wife Sharon as well as their dogs. The couple were snowbirds who enjoyed their time wintering in Florida while spending their summers at their cottage on Echo Lake. He cherished golfing with his grandson Chris as well as spending time, playing, and teasing with his grandchildren Vivian and Audrey and his step-grandchildren whenever he had the opportunity. Jerry was predeceased by his parents Albert and Doris Johnson, as well as his sisters Sandra (Carter) and Alexis (Madore). Jerry is survived by wife Sharon (Ballard), sons Kyle (wife Traci, daughters Vivian and Audrey) and Brooks (wife Victoria, son Christopher), sister Deborah (Fogg) [husband Sanford "Finn", daughters Deidre and Meryl] brother Brad (son Matthew), brother-in-law Barry (son Matthew), and niece Veronica (Collins). He is survived by four stepchildren: David Beaulieu, Christopher Beaulieu, Sarah Stone and husband Michael (son Asher, daughters Rachel, Caroline, and Olivia), as well as Lon Cameron and wife Tyler. There will be a Christian burial with military honors to be held at a later date for immediate family and close friends at Fairmont Cemetery in Presque Isle. Donations can be made in Jerry's memory to C-A-N-C-E-R, PO Box 811 Presque Isle, Maine 04749 or The Central Aroostook Animal Shelter 24 Cross Street, Presque Isle, Maine 04769.