With great sadness, we announce the passing of Monte R. Johnson, 83 years of age, on Friday,
December 29 th , 2023, at Missouri Baptist Hospital in St. Louis, Missouri.

Monte was born March 17 th , 1940, in Murphysboro, Illinois, to the late Charles A. and Mary L.
(nee Neace) Johnson. He was the second eldest of nine children and is preceded in death by his brothers Terry and Robert Johnson.

Monte was a graduate of East Side High School in East St Louis, Illinois, and was considered a well-known and gifted athlete during his high school years, especially in baseball – of which, he was a lifelong fan. He was also a great golfer and truly loved playing whenever he had the chance to, up until his late 70s. He was a frequent golfer at his beloved Tamarack and Clinton Hills courses in the Metro East. Monte also was an active Army Reservist with an honorable discharge after 11 years of service.

He was married to Gayle Lowry on December 28, 1979, and they had 4 children between them; Debra Barron Johnson, his daughter from a previous marriage; Scott Hermes (Anne), her son from a previous marriage; Melissa R. Johnson Tragesser (Christian) and Michael A. Johnson (Camille). He was blessed with 4 beautiful grandchildren: Caleb and Lily Tragesser and Olivia and Charlotte Johnson.

Monte was a well-known car salesman at both Auffenberg Ford in Belleville, IL and Dave Sinclair Ford in St. Louis, MO, where he retired from in 2002.

He lived in Daphne and Fairhope, Alabama, successively after retiring, playing golf atTimber Creek and Rock Creek virtually every day, and enjoying local beach life as much as he could. It was during this time he fell in love with Alabama football, Roll Tide! He and Gayle moved back to the St. Louis area in September of 2018 to be closer to his children and grandchildren. They lived in St. Peters, MO until his passing.

Monte loved spending time with family, and he loved laughing, and he always had a smile on his face. He was a loving and caring person, but also a great husband, father, brother, Papa, uncle, and friend. He adored his grandchildren and had so much fun with them.

He loved sports and played sports well into is 70s. He was a lifelong fan of the St. Louis Cardinals and St. Louis Blues. He could recite baseball stats easily even into his last months, despite being diagnosed with Lewy Body Dementia a few years ago.

Monte leaves to cherish his loving memory his wife, Gayle, his 4 children, and 4 grandchildren. He also leaves his brothers Charles “Buddie” Johnson of San Francisco, CA, and Timothy Johnson of Surprise, AZ; his sisters Marsha Johnson, Kathy Johnson Trauernicht, Sue Johnson Eichelberger, and Mary Beth Johnson. He was a beloved uncle to 23 nieces and nephews as well.

Monte was well loved and liked by most everyone he ever met, and he will be greatly missed by the family and friends he leaves behind. He simply never knew a stranger. He always loved the movie “It’s a Wonderful Life” and its message that no man is poor or alone when he has friends and family. Monte R. Johnson was a rich man in everything that truly matters in life. And he knew it.

Memorial Services will be held at Kassly Mortuary in Fairview Heights, IL on Friday, January 19, 2024 between 3-6pm with services at 5pm.