Robert Johnson Obituary

Robert Lee “Bob” Johnson, age 77, passed away peacefully at his home in Gillette, Wyoming, on July 13, 2025.

Robert was born on February 11, 1948, in Sheridan, Wyoming. Robert was the first- born son of Donna Belle (Stewart) Tanner and Earl Robert Johnson. A proud Wyoming native, Bobby was raised in Gillette and graduated from Gillette High School in 1966 where he participated in FFA, loved to play sports, and met his lifelong friends.

He continued his education at Casper College and earned an Associate Degree. It was there he met the love of his life, Jane Elisabeth Corbin. Their love story blossomed quickly, and they married on June 14, 1969, and would share 56 wonderful years of marriage filled with love, laughter, and deep devotion to their family, especially their children, Amy, Jeff, and Meagan, their grandchildren and great-grandchildren, who were the light of Bob’s life.

Bob earned his Bachelor’s Degree from the University of Wyoming and went on to dedicate his professional life to agriculture. He began his career managing and operating a feedlot business until he pursued and achieved his dream of building and running BJ Feeders from the ground up in Worland, Wyoming. That is where he and Jane raised their young family. Those years in Worland were among his happiest — a time of hard work, close community, and cherished family life.

In 1988, Bob and the family moved to Cheyenne, Wyoming. They then moved back to Gillette in 1994, where he transitioned into managing the American Ranch alongside his mother. His deep understanding of the land, coupled with his love for agriculture, created a deep sense of satisfaction in Bob’s life.

Bob had a lifelong passion for the Western way of life. He could often be found at rodeos and horse races, and loved watching classic Western films. His quiet wisdom, quick wit, and steady presence made him a treasure to all his close friends and family. Above all, Bob was a family man. He took immense pride in the lives of his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Their successes, their joys, and even their small moments meant everything to Bob. His unwavering love and steady influence will forever be woven into the fabric of the family he helped build and guide. Bob was deeply loved by all who knew his mischievous grin and the fun-loving twinkle in his eye. His kind spirit will live on in the hearts of his family, his best friend-cousins, and his many life-long friends.

Bob was preceded in death by his parents, Donna Tanner and Earl Johnson, and his brother, Jeffrey L. Johnson, who was also a Vietnam veteran.

He is survived by his loving wife of 56 years, Jane, his sister, Sheri Eskew, his children, Amy (Sam) Rankl, Jeffrey (Monica) Johnson, and Meagan (Jay) Jeffery, his grandchildren, Emily (David) Whetstone, Anna Rankl, Savannah (Norris Graves) Jeffery, John Jeffery, Ellie Jeffery, Grady Johnson, Gabriel Johnson, Abigail Johnson, Maelynn Johnson, Noah Johnson, Grayson Johnson, and Markos Johnson, and great-grandchildren, Wyatt and Braden Whetstone, and Layni Graves. He also leaves behind many dearly loved nieces, nephews, and cousins.

The visitation and Vigil will take place at Walker Funeral Home in Gillette, WY, on Sunday, July 20, 2025. Visitation is from 6:00 to 7:00 pm; the Vigil will begin at 7:00 pm. Bob’s funeral service will be held on Monday, July 21, 2025, at 11:00 am at St. Matthew’s Catholic Church in Gillette. A second service will be held on Wednesday, July 23, 2025 at 11:00 am at St. Mary Magdalen Catholic Church in Worland, WY. Burial to follow at Riverview Memorial Gardens in Worland.

Memorial donations can be made in Bob’s honor to the Gillette American Legion Post 42 by sending a check to P.O. Box 68, Gillette, WY 82717 (memo: Drill Team). Memorial donations can also be sent to the Wounded Warrior Project at https://support.woundedwarriorproject.org/ or by calling 855-448-3995, and St. Jude’s’s Children’s Hospital at https://www.stjude.org/donate/donate-to-st-jude.html or by calling 800-805-5856.