Jerry Johnson

Jerry D. Johnson, 73, of Jackson passed away Thursday, June 28, 2007, at Southeast Missouri Hospital.

He was born July 30, 1933, at Neely's Landing, son of the late Arvy and Violet Gohn Johnson. He and Blanch Thompson were married in 1954. He married Betty Wright Cook in 1981, who preceded him in death in 2001.

Jerry served in the U.S. Army from June 6, 1953, to May 11, 1955, during the Korean War.

He did construction work for various companies throughout Cape Girardeau County; worked at the former Jackson Hosiery Mill, and worked 18 years at Procter & Gamble before retiring in 1991.

He attended Shawnee Hills Baptist Church and was a member of the Cape Girardeau Elks Lodge.

Loving survivors include two daughters, Deanna Champ of Bridgeton, Mo., Donna (Steve) Oldham of Jackson; two sisters, Mary McNeely of Arnold, Mo., Martha (Joan) Wright of Jackson; two grandchildren, Tyler and Tracy Burk; and a stepgrandson, Ray Champ Jr.

Friends may call from 4 to 8 p.m. today at McCombs Funeral Home in Jackson.

The funeral will be at 10 a.m. Saturday at the funeral home, with Dr. Brian Anderson officiating. Burial will be in Russell Heights Cemetery in Jackson, with military honors to be conducted.

Expressions of sympathy may take the form of contributions to the American Cancer Society, the Parkinson's Foundation or New Bethel Cemetery.

Sympathy messages may be sent to the family online at mccombsfuneralhome.com.