John J. Johnson

John J. Johnson, 74, passed away on October 29, 2024 at Iowa Methodist Medical Center in Des Moines, surrounded by his family. His passing was sudden and unexpected, although blessedly quick, as he always had hoped it would be.

John was born on June 30, 1950 to Charles Jr. and Mary Alice Johnson in Des Moines. He graduated from Theodore Roosevelt High School in 1968, in one of the largest classes at that time, over 800 students. He was known as ‘Scrock” to his friends.

John met the lovely Gay Lynn Conroy in the mid 70’s at a convenience store near the apartment complex they both (unknowingly at the time) lived in. Gay worked at the gas station, and she let the foxy and flirtatious John buy beer on Sundays – which was not allowed back then – and one of many reasons she was endeared to him for life. John married the sweet young thing of nineteen on September 10, 1977. Gay was the love of his life, and they were blessed with two daughters; Jessica Marie and Nicole Jean.

When John himself was only twenty years old, he started working for Iowa Power and Light, now MidAamerican Energy. He first achieved journeyman status as an overhead lineman and then transferred to become an underground foreman cable splicer. There he truly learned the bowels of the downtown Des Moines underground electrical world. John spent 40 years running and restoring power to many businesses, working with high voltage electricity and amassed an admirable career. John loved his work, was a union member, and shared his vast and invaluable knowledge training and guiding many others. He also shared his sharp wit and hilarious antics, making countless friends and many life-long companions. To name a few won’t do justice but Kelly, Mikey, Ed, Jeff and Jim are among them.

John’s greatest joys in life were his wife, daughters, grandchildren and other family. In their younger years everyone, including siblings, in-laws, cousins and their extended families would join in camping, fishing, boating and skiing at Lake Rathbun. Summers also included family games in the regulation horseshoe pits John put in at home for everyone to enjoy. You could also find the family at the kitchen table playing pitch, cribbage, nickel and dime poker, Dictionary, Trivial Pursuit and many other games.

John loved music; he played the piano, guitar, and harmonica and was never afraid to belt out a random song. He also loved binge watching old Westerns and car shows, the Mecham Auctions and NHRA drag racing. John loved to “dink around” in his shop and garage and had a true talent for auto repair and electrical work. He built a generator and probably more than one trailer from scratch, in addition to a fully re-modeled, 54 seat, 1960 GMC school bus that he turned into a camper for the family to enjoy. Among John’s most recent favorite vehicles were his immaculate 2007 Ford F-150, an equally immaculate 2010 Ford Mustang Convertible, and his second beloved golf cart - ordered brand new and subsequently specially “John customized” with seatbelts, headlights, a windshield, and of course, gorgeous wheels.

Known by Scrock, John, John Boy, John Jay, JJ, Dad, Papadoppolis, Papasito, Grandpa John or Uncle John, he was so many things to so many people. He also created nicknames for those he loved, Gaybaby, Pickle, Messy Jessy, Mouse, “the grills” or the “honyocks”, Rudy, Log-Meister, Dustoleum and sometimes just randomly, MooseHead Lodge. John was a “cool cat”, a good guy, the best dad, the funniest grandpa, the on-call advisor of all things, a rock to many, generous to a fault and always there for his family and friends. He was a master of sarcastic humor and making people laugh. He was an expert at sound effects and mimicking animals. John loved his family and friends and was not afraid to tell them so. No one could escape a family get-together without a kiss from John. He was deeply loved by everyone and will be dearly missed.

John is survived by his daughters, Jessica (Jeremy) Johnson and Nicole (Dusty) Lear; grandchildren, Lucas, Logan, Sarah, Daylin, Destyne, Madison, Leelah, and Ivee; sisters, Charla Johnson, Sandy (Dennis) Eschen and Janet Johnson; sisters-in-law, Gayle Allen and Glenda (Stan) Gaumer; numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and many other loving relatives and special friends.

John was preceded in death by his parents, Charles and Mary Alice Johnson; wife, Gay Conroy; parents-in-law John and Nedra Conroy; brothers-in-law, Guy Conroy and Mike Allen; sisters-in-law, Gweyn Rider and Debbie Conroy; and his nephews, Lincoln Lambert, Shawn Conroy and Alex Gaumer.

The family will greet friends from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Friday, November 8, 2024, at Hamilton’s Southtown Funeral Home; 5400 SW 9th Street, Des Moines. A memorial service will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, November 9, 2024, at the funeral home. John will be laid to rest beside his wife at Elm Grove Cemetery; 6505 Indianola Avenue, Des Moines.

Contributions may be directed to the family in loving memory of John for a memorial to be placed at a future date.

Condolences may be expressed online at www.Hamiltonsfuneralhome.com.

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