GREGORY (GREGG) ALLEN JOHNSON, 77 of Roscoe, NE passed away February 5, 2019, at Great Plains Regional Hospital in North Platte, NE. Gregg was born on December 24, 1941, at Burwell, NE to John and Margaret (Dunne) Johnson. He was the fifth of nine children.
He grew up “shadowing” his mother’s trail to help take care of the chickens. Gregg was also active in the local 4-H group and loved to help his dad on the ranch. Gregg made a public confession of faith in Jesus when his nephew JP Johnson baptized him at Lake McConaughy, Ogallala, NE.
Gregg attended country schools in his elementary years and graduated from St. Mary’s Academy in O’Neill with the class of 1960. This is where his passion for football began as a lineman for their state championship team. In 1964, Gregg joined the U.S. Army, and he served in Vietnam in the Big Red 1 First Infantry Division where he earned numerous medals.
Following his honorable discharge in 1966, Gregg returned to Nebraska where he met and married Bonnie J. Malone on October 26, 1968, at Palisade, NE. To this union, they were blessed with two daughters, Audra L. and Heather Jane. Gregg did a number of different things in his life.
He used his talents to pursue his dreams. Gregg was a jack of all trades and a master of all, which included a lumber-jack, managed a feedlot, road construction, and worked at an ammunition plant. He also loved to rodeo, participating in Bull Riding, Team Roping, and Bull Dogging in his spare time.
Gregg, Bonnie and Gregg’s brother Larry owned and operated their ranch at Eli, Ne for ten years. Gregg specialized in contract labor fencing, balling hay, and cattle AI in his ranching career. He also sold life insurance all before finding his true passion.
In 1985 Gregg decided that he was going to start a pest control business with an emphasis on prairie dog control. From humble beginnings, Gregg and Bonnie built their venture into a 4 State Rodent Control, which now services more than six states and has become one of the largest businesses of its kind. Gregg was well known and often referred to as the “The Prairie Dog Man”.
While Gregg and Bonnie were proud of this accomplishment, they were perhaps more gratified by the fact that there have been three generations of family that has been involved in the business. From their rodent control venture to their Amway business, Gregg and Bonnie have always taken pride in working hard and doing things the right way. There were a few things in life that Gregg was passionate about, including his faith in Jesus, and being a man of integrity.
His word was his bond. Gregg always shared a close-knit bond with his siblings, and that closeness carried over to his own home. He loved his family, and he and his wife Bonnie were able to celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary in Dec 2018.
He also loved spending time with his grandchildren, and always seemed to have what he called “spoilage” candy hidden away for their mutual enjoyment. Gregg was enthusiastic about gardening, fishing, avid goose hunter and Husker football and freely shared his opinion on the games. Gregg was a lifetime member of the American Legion Association Post 319, Cody, Ne and believed in supporting Veterans and First Responders.
He was a meticulous man, which reflected in all of his accomplishments. Gregg was very serious about his faith and tried not to miss the opportunity to share the gospel, even going so far as giving special wooden crosses to acquaintances and strangers when the situation presented itself. He used this as a way to open the door to share his faith with others.
Gregg left behind a great legacy and a family that he loved and was so proud of. Perhaps the greatest legacy he left behind was the example of his faith, which we know provided for a wonderful reunion with Christ when he passed. Gregg was preceded in death by his parents, John, and Margaret Johnson; two sisters, Jeanette (Tom) Hoffmann and Jacqueline (Tom) Carey; four nieces, Collean Fredrickson, Nicole Johnson, Kathleen Johnson, and Jean Pelc; one nephew, Matthew Peterson.
Grateful for having shared his life for 50 years, his wife Bonnie Johnson of Roscoe, NE; children, Audra (Corey) Hill of Park Rapids, MN; Heather (Patrick) Solon of Kadoka, SD; nine Grandchildren, Danielle, Paige, Payton, Tristan, and Eli Hill; Shaina, Savannah, River, and Ridge Solon; Siblings, Collean (Fred) Frederickson of Ada, OK; Larry Johnson; Carol Johnson; John (Susan) Johnson all of Cody, NE, Ed (Linda) Johnson of Greeley, CO; George (Karen) Johnson also of Cody, NE; and many other relatives and friends. Funeral Services will be Monday, February 11, 2019, at 10:00 a.m. at New Hope Church in Ogallala with Pastor Eric Wait officiating. Burial will be at Saint Marys Cemetery in Nenzel, NE on Tuesday, February 12, 2019 at 11:00 am.
with military honors provided by American Legion Post #319. Visitation will be Sunday, February 10, 2019 from 1:00 – 5:00 pm, with a time of sharing at 5:00 pm at Prairie Hills Funeral Home in Ogallala. A memorial has been established in his memory for later designation.
Condolences can be shared at prairiehillsfuneralhome.com, where the service will be streamed live for those unable to attend. To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Gregory A. Johnson please visit our Sympathy Store.
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