Gary L. Johnson, 71

Gary L. Johnson, age 71, of Statesboro, passed away in the early morning of Wednesday, October 28, 2026. A Celebration of Life was held Monday, November 2, at 11 a.m. at First Baptist Church of Statesboro with Dr. John Waters officiating, with a private burial at Mt. Olivet Baptist Church Cemetery following the service. Family received friends at their family home on Sunday, November 1, from 2 to 5 p.m.

Pallbearers were Wade Johnson, Tal Johnson, Greg Johnson, Jr., Davis Johnson, Trey Johnson and Stephen Young. Honorary pallbearers were his Sigma Chi brothers, members of the Citizens Bank family, and members of The Searchers Sunday school class.

Born December 5, 1954, in Swainsboro, Gary was the son of the late George Watson “G.W.” Johnson, Sr. and Blonnie Womack Johnson. He grew up in Canoochee and graduated from Emanuel County Institute (ECI) in 1972. A standout teammate of the ECI Bulldogs football team, he was named Defensive Player of the Year in the fall of 1971. Gary attended Middle Georgia College and later graduated from the University of Georgia with a Bachelor of Business Administration in 1977, where he was a proud member of Sigma Chi Fraternity and the UGA Gridiron Society.

Gary enjoyed a long and distinguished career in banking, beginning with Farm Credit and Farmers and Merchants Bank before going on to leadership positions at several banks in Statesboro and the surrounding region. He served as director of Eagle Bank and Sea Island Bank and served as Southeast Georgia regional president of Heritage Bank of the South. In September 2015, he became president of Bulloch First, a position he held until his retirement on March 31, 2020. He soon returned to banking at Bulloch First as the executive vice president and chief lending officer for The Citizens Bank of Swainsboro and subsidiary banks until December 2024. Following his final retirement, Gary continued to serve as a fiduciary member of the Board of Directors of The Citizens Bank of Swainsboro.

Gary was a respected pillar of his church and community. A longtime member of First Baptist Church of Statesboro, he was a member of the Searchers Sunday School class, a Wednesday afternoon prayer group, and a Thursday morning Bible study group. Throughout his life, Gary was devoted to his local community. He was a former president of the Kiwanis Club of Statesboro as well as president and Paul Harris Fellow of the Rotary Club of Statesboro. Gary served on the Board of Directors for the Forest Heights Country Club for many years, including a term as treasurer. He served as chairman of the Statesboro/Bulloch County Chamber of Commerce, the Ogeechee Technical College Foundation, and the Bulloch County Red Cross.

In recognition of his leadership and service to the community, Gary received numerous honors including the Statesboro-Bulloch Chamber of Commerce 2005 Leadership Award for his outstanding leadership as chairman of the board and a 2006 recognition from the Ogeechee Technical College Foundation for his vision, leadership, and dedication.

Gary and his late wife, Deborah Kay “Debbie” Johnson, shared 40 beautiful years of marriage and made their home in Statesboro, where they raised their two children, Kate Anna and Sam. On May 20, 2023, Gary married Jan Griffin Johnson. Together, they enjoyed a loving marriage, an active life in their church, and many treasured friendships.

Gary found great joy in working on the family farm and spending time with those he loved. He cherished time with his children, grandson, brothers, nieces and nephews, extended family and friends, and found great happiness in life’s simple pleasures. His grandson, Benjamin, was the apple of his eye, and Gary never missed his sporting events, strings recitals, or birthday celebrations. He looked forward to family gatherings, hunting trips, and weekends spent in Athens cheering on the Dawgs. Known for his warmth, good humor, faithfulness, and integrity, Gary had a genuine care for others that was reflected in the many friendships he cultivated throughout his life. He will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved him. Mr. Johnson is preceded in death by his parents; and first wife, Deborah Kay “Debbie” Johnson.

Mr. Johnson is survived by his wife, Jan Griffin Johnson; daughter, Kate Anna Greene (Stephen) and their son, Benjamin Greene; and son, Samuel “Sam” Johnson (Katie); brothers, G.W. Johnson, Jr. (Betsy) and Greg Johnson, Sr. (Melinda); his wife’s daughters, Anna Herrington (John) and Sarah Holley (Rob); her grandchildren Lily and Ellis Herrington and Emeri and Eva Holley; her brothers, Hunter Rackley (Pattie), Lawson Rackley (Kathy), Stewart Rackley (Gilda) and Scott Rackley (Karen); and her sister Allison Cowart (Charlie); as well as all of his beloved nieces, nephews, grandnieces, grandnephews and cousins.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to: Mt. Olivet Baptist Church Cemetery Fund, P.O. Box 30, Twin City, GA 30471, or to a charity of one’s choice.

Joiner-Anderson Funeral Home & Crematory was in charge of arrangements.