Gregory Johnson

Gregory Johnson was born on August 25, 1957 to Norma and Eddie Johnson of Baltic, SD. From the time he was a youngster Greg went through the day with a smile on his face. He made friends easily and everywhere he went. All through his school years, his kindness touched many.

At Baltic High School Greg was active in debate, music, and especially sports. He participated in basketball, football and track. In basketball, a highlight was a 36 point effort in a regular season game. In football, he earned a place on the SD All-State defensive first team. In track, He was on Baltic’s 1974 SD State championship team.

After graduating from Baltic high school in 1975 Greg enrolled at the University of Nebraska in Lincoln. He immediately became active in student government and was elected student body president and Regent. Greg was a member of Alpha Tau Omega fraternity and ROTC (U.S. Army reserve). Honors included UN-L Innocents Society and Mortar Board Society. He was a distinguished military graduate. He received a Bachelor of Arts from UNL in May 1979, majoring in political science.

In the summer of 1978, Greg worked on the campaign of Tom Daschle for Congress. In a Lincoln newspaper article, journalist Jack Kennedy wrote “Johnson somehow found free time to work back home for Tom Daschle, who won election to the US House by a mere 14 votes. ‘I organized Sioux Falls for him,’ Johnson said. ‘This may come as a shock for those who didn't feel the city was disorganized.’” After election, Congressman Daschle hired Greg as a legislative assistant in Daschle’s Washington office and subsequently promoted Greg to be his press secretary.

Greg served his country on active duty as a first lieutenant in the Army from 1980 to 1984, first as Battalion Adjutant for the 802nd engineer Battalion in Korea; and subsequently as a member of the General Staff of the army's Criminal Investigation Division (CID) in Falls Church VA. Military honors included the Army Commendation Medal and the Meritorious Service Medal.

After honorable discharge from the Army, he returned to academia at Georgetown University in Washington. He earned a master’s degree in government with a specialization in National Security Issues.

His education and military experience led to a job at Boeing corporation headquarters in Redmond, WA.

At the age of 28, Greg was stricken with schizophrenia. While this cut short a promising career, it did not take away his kind outlook. He met the challenge as best he could. He lived in an independent apartment in Yankton and took up painting and drawing as hobbies. He had friends he enjoyed in the apartment building and some he had coffee with. He remained a gentle soul throughout his life. Greg was a peaceful and loving person and had a passion for sports, traveling, art and spending time with family and friends. He will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved him.

Greg was preceded in death by his parents Norma and Eddie Johnson. He is survived by his sister, Jackie Jenkins (Tom) of Omaha, NE; brother, Bob Johnson (Lei) of Santa Paula, CA; Kathy LaFever (Dan) of Fort Myers, FL; nieces Erin Wessling (Nick), Kari Mansour (Mike); Paige Bowder (Ryan); Jessie Jenkins (John Beecham) all of Omaha; Danielle LaFever of Bridgewater, NJ and nephew Travis LaFever (Nancy) of Succasunna, NJ. Greg also had 14 great nieces and nephews.

Greg passed away in Sioux Falls on December 30 with loving family by his side, following an aortic aneurism. Greg’s family wishes to thank the staff of Lewis & Clark Behavioral Health in Yankton for their many years of loving assistance to Greg. Also, our appreciation to Hudson Assisted Living and Ava’s House in Sioux Falls.

Memorials may be directed to Baltic Lutheran Church or NAMI South Dakota (National Alliance for Mental Illness)

Services are pending.