Gordon Johnson

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Johnson, Gordon Gordy of Longboat Key, Florida and Brainerd, Minnesota passed away Friday, October 17th at Sarasota Memorial Hospital following a valiant battle with cancer. Never a man more loved and respected by family and friends. Gordy is survived by his loving wife, Mary Lou (Married 1958), daughters Jacque Fryklund and Debra Booden; son Jeff Johnson; grandchildren Justin, Kali, Erik, and Ben and great grandchildren Wyatt and Ella Mae. Gordy was born and raised in Norfolk, Nebraska. He received a basketball scholarship to the University of Colorado in Boulder. While at the University of Colorado, Gordy fell in love with Mary Lou, his lifelong friend, companion and helper. He joined Kappa Sigma, earned his BA in 1957, and was a proud member of the 1956 University of Colorado Basketball team that went to the Final Four National Championship. In 1958, Gordy was a regular commissioned officer as a Lieutenant, and pilot in the United States Air Force. He rose to the rank of Captain in 1963. Gordy's business career began in 1963 with completion of Travelers Insurance School. He and Mary Lou moved to Edina, Minnesota where he started his own insurance business, Valley View Insurance - specializing in Commercial, Casualty, Property, Life and Health Insurance. He received advanced training and earned his C.P.C.U. and his C.F.C. certifications. His motto was "No account is too large to handle." Gordy was a highly respected leader in the Insurance industry. Gordy has lived a very active and full life with special emphasis on family, friends, tennis, golf, fishing, boating. Gordy and Mary Lou loved yearly travels to France and Italy shopping for antiques. He has always had an amazingly positive attitude, been a leader of his peers, and someone respected and loved by all- especially the love of his life, Mary Lou. Gordy will be dearly missed by all who knew him.Memorial Services are planned for Sarasota on January 12, 2015 and for Brainerd, Minnesota in the spring of 2015.

Published on October 25, 2014