Gayle Johnson

Gayle Louise Tansing Johnson, beautiful vivacious mother, wife, friend and Yia Yia (grandmother), creative business owner and amazing party-thrower, passed away January 6, 2014. She was 68. After battling pancreatic cancer for 10 months, she died peacefully on the family ranch near her loved ones, dogs and alpacas. Always a fighter, Gayle was a trailblazer for women entrepreneurs. She owned a marketing and advertising firm for 21 years, and she was active on numerous community boards, including President of the American Marketing Association, Wichita Chapter. Born in Cincinnati, Ohio, Gayle graduated with a degree in Education from Miami University in Oxford, Ohio. Gayle married Charlie Johnson in 1966 and the two of them lived in Bangkok and Okinawa in the 70's while Charlie was in the Air Force. She had fond memories of meeting lifelong friends in Southeast Asia. After they settled in Wichita, Kansas, Gayle taught 5th, 7th and 8th grade math for two years before opening her advertising agency. Besides dedicating her life to her family and friends, in the last 20 years, Gayle enjoyed renovating older homes. The most recent home in Franktown, Colorado is a Douglas County Historical Site. Gayle loved to play bridge, fire up conversations in book clubs, gardening and being in nature, throwing large, crazy parties, and teaching her grandsons the wonderful side of life. She is survived by her husband of 47 years, Charlie; daughters Christine Johnson and Michelle Wallace; son-in-law Shawn Wallace; grandsons Charlie and Jack Wallace; and brother Rob Tansing. A memorial service will be held on Monday, January 13 at 3:30 PM at the Horan & McConaty Family Chapel, 5303 E. County Line Rd., Centennial, 80122. Her favorite margaritas and mojitos will be served immediately following the service at The Perfect Landing restaurant at the Centennial airport. A large, 70's disco dance, Gayle-style celebration will be held in the spring in Wichita, Kansas, her hometown for over 30 years. Memorial donations may be made to the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network to advance research, support patients, and create hope. Checks may be sent to: 1500 Rosecrans Ave. Suite 200, Manhattan Beach, CA 90266 (Please indicate ""In Memory of Gayle Johnson"" in the memo line of checks). Donations can also be made online at www.pancan.org, or via phone by calling 877-272-6226. Please share your memories of Gayle and condolences with her family by signing the guestbook.