Gary Dean Johnson was born June 16, 1949, to Eddie Johnson Sr. and Mae "Dolly" Chester Johnson in Benton Harbor. After a brief illness, he transitioned peacefully into the arms of the Lord on Sunday, July 30, 2017, in Ann Arbor. A happy child, Gary grew up in a large, loving family and close-knit community. He accepted Christ at a very young age and was baptized at Pilgrim Rest Baptist Church in Benton Harbor. Attending Benton Harbor public schools, Gary graduated from Benton Harbor High School in 1969. In October of the same year, he was drafted into the U.S. Army and proudly served three years, including a tour of duty in Vietnam. After his discharge, Gary returned to Benton Harbor until he relocated to Ann Arbor in 1975. He was employed there in the food industry until his retirement in 2012. Gary was a warrior throughout his entire God-given life, up to the day he transitioned to heaven, also during his tour of duty in Vietnam and the many times in the hospital due to various illnesses. Graveside services and interment were Aug. 17, 2017, at Fort Custer National Cemetery, Augusta, Mich. Preceding Gary in death were his parents, Eddie Johnson Sr. and Mae "Dolly" Chester Johnson; longtime companion, Betty Bekaert; sisters: Eddie Mae, Charlesetta, Ernestine, Thelma, Johnnie Marie and Irma Jo; and brothers: Nathaniel, Ira, Earl, Robert, Raymond, Jerry and Eddie Jr. Surviving are his daughter, Brandy Murray of Lansing; siblings: Pauline Hardy, Leslie G. Moon and Oliver (Angela) Johnson, all of Ann Arbor, and Jethro K. Johnson of Kalamazoo; brother-in-law, Willie Stokes; special nephew, Anthony "Rickey" Stokes of Benton Harbor; numerous nieces and nephews; and a host of other relatives and friends.