Jerry was born on November 26, 1949, in Ames, IA to parents Edmund and Janette (Martin) Johnson.

Jerry was a 1968 graduate of Marshalltown High School, lettering in football, basketball, baseball and golf. He went on to play collegiate golf at Eastern New Mexico University and the University of Iowa, where he earned his degree in Business Administration in 1972. Jerry was employed by the Commercial State Bank in Marshalltown from 1972-1976.

On May 19, 1973, Jerry was united in marriage to Debra Kay Sieleman at the Holy Family Catholic Church in Mason City, Iowa. To that union were born two daughters, Kate (1978) and Erin (1983).

In 1976, Jerry switched careers and entered the golf business, becoming a PGA apprentice under Keith Hannan at Mason City Country Club. From 1980-1985 he was the Head PGA Professional at Lake Bracken Country Club in Galesburg, IL. When Joe August retired as golf professional of Marshalltown’s Elmwood Country Club in the fall of 1985, Jerry was hired to take over the reins. He enjoyed working at Elmwood C.C. for 29 years before retiring on December 31, 2014, achieving “Life Membership” status in the PGA of America.

Jerry’s love of competition fostered years of participating in amateur and professional tournaments. Two highlights include playing in the Quad Cities Open twice and the National PGA Club Professional Championship four times.

The Iowa Golf Association named Jerry Golf Professional of the Year in 1990. That same year he was named Iowa PGA Merchandiser of the Year. Jerry held the office of President of the Iowa PGA from 1991-1993 and was chosen by his peers in 1992 as the Iowa Section PGA Professional of the Year. In 2016, he received the IPGA Horton Smith Award. Even after his retirement, Jerry remained active in his involvement with the Iowa Section PGA serving on numerous committees.

Perhaps Jerry will be remembered most for his passion in promoting the game of golf to the Marshalltown community. Be it a listening ear while golfers recounted their rounds to him, spending many hours giving lessons on the practice tee, administering golf events, teaching area high school golf teams and P.E. classes in proper swing execution and golf etiquette, and helping to implement the Swings with Kids program in Marshalltown schools, he wanted to share his love of the game and impart its many life lessons. Jerry was a man most generous of his time with family, friends and acquaintances.

One of Jerry’s great joys in life was being a dad and grandpa. His retirement years afforded him the opportunity to spend time with his grandsons, cheering them on from the bleachers and fairways.

Left to cherish his memory are his wife, Debra Johnson, Marshalltown, IA; daughters: Kate (Dan) Davis, Urbandale, IA and Erin Johnson, Des Moines, IA; grandsons, Daniel and Jude Davis, Urbandale, IA; brothers: Richard (Joyce) Johnson, Fairport, NY and Bruce (Lisa) Johnson, Ankeny, IA; sister, Laura (Steve) Hanish, Tonka Bay, MN; brother-in-law, Michael Sieleman, Groton, CT; sister-in-law, Catherine Sieleman, Carlsbad, CA along with many nieces and nephews.

Jerry was preceded in death by his parents and brother-in-law, James Sieleman.

Jerry’s family wishes to acknowledge Dr. Joseph Merchant and the oncology department of McFarland Clinic in Ames and Marshalltown for their excellent care for the past 17 years; Fr. Tom Braak, retired Catholic priest, friend, fellow golfer and spiritual advisor; the Iowa River Hospice for their end of life care and of course Jerry’s many friends and family who reached out to him in love and support.