Joseph “Joey” Justin Johnson, 45, passed away on January 2, 2026, in Iowa City, Iowa.
Joey was born April 16, 1980, to Dave and Jodi (Diana Joan Swanson) Johnson in Ames, Iowa at Mary Greeley hospital. He was baptized on Father’s Day 1980 at the Hubbard Methodist Church. He rode with his parents in their International conventional truck with no sleeper until he started school in Newton, Iowa where he attended a.m. optional kindergarten then moved to Lynnville to start kindergarten in 1986. He attended Lynnville-Sully and lived most of his life in Lynnville, Iowa with his parents and two sisters.
From an early age, Joey approached life with curiosity, creativity and a tender heart. He loved cheetahs, Legos, trucks, airplanes and space. His mother fondly remembered watching the Challenger explosion with him as a young boy. Seeing her upset, Joey reassured her, “Don’t worry Mom. I’ll build you one that won’t blow up.” And true to his word, he carefully built one himself out of Legos.
Joey faced many challenges throughout his life with determination and courage. He struggled with dyslexia, which made spelling and schoolwork difficult at times, but it never stopped him from participating fully in life. Through the Sully Community Church, he traveled with the Bible Verse Quiz Team to churches around the region, proudly competing and building lasting friendships. His favorite scripture was, “Love one another as I have loved you.”
Joey’s stubborn streak and sense of humor showed up early in life. As a four-year-old ring bearer at his aunt’s wedding, he decided after the ceremony that he was not going back down the aisle. His two older cousins finally managed to pull him along while family members tried not to laugh during the unforgettable scene.
He participated in Little League and Pony League baseball, along with cross country and track. At Lynnville-Sully schools, Joey lettered all four years in jazz band, playing the tenor saxophone.
At age 14, Joey suffered a horrific accident that injured his vocal cords and forever changed the course of his life. Despite the difficulties that followed he continued to move forward with resilience and determination. In 2015, he suffered a brain injury that ultimately left him disabled.
Joey attended Des Moines Area Community College before transferring to Grand View University, where he studied accounting and earned Dean’s List honors. Over the years, he worked at Burger King, Goode Greenhouses, and Wells Fargo Arena. He also enjoyed helping local farmers bale hay, once bringing home an old pickup truck as a bonus — a 1977 truck that is still running today.
Joey loved lasagna and called it his “healing food.” He had a caring spirit and continued helping others even in death through organ donation.
Those who knew Joey will remember his gentle heart, his perseverance through adversity, his creativity, and his unique sense of humor. He often ended his messages with the words, “Peace Out.”
He is survived by his parents, Dave and Jodi Johnson, his sisters, MindyJo Marie Johnson (Todd) Miller and Misti Lyn Johnson (Jeff) Craig. His niece Chloe (JoJo-Juan Joseph) Bowden, nephew Jaxon D. Craig and niece Mazee E. Craig. Many aunts, uncles and cousins.
He was preceded in death by his infant brother Timothy David in 1976, his paternal grandparents Robert E. and Muriel Johnson and his maternal grandparents, Charles and Dorothy Swanson.
A memorial service will be held Saturday, May 16, 2026 at 2:00 p.m. at the Agency Community Church in Agency, Iowa with visitation beginning at 1:00 pm before the service.
Memorials may be made to the Agency Community Church, Lynnville Library and the Heartland Humane Society.
The family asks that Joey be remembered for the kindness he showed others, the obstacles he overcame, and the love he carried for family, friends, and community throughout his life.
