Heaven must have had a very important deal in the works because God called his best salesman home. The world became a quieter place on August 18, 2022 when Corey Dale Johnson received his ultimate promise and returned to the Lord. His siblings, Jeannie and Wes, undoubtedly welcomed him home with an epic celebration.
Born June 27, 1969 in Lewistown, Montana to Larry and Judy Johnson, Corey was spirited and gutsy from the start. Corey grew up in Glasgow and spent as much time as possible at his grandparents’ ranches north of Hinsdale. He and his older brother and lifelong best friend Jeff spent most summers in Stanford with their dad. Corey loved his school years in Glasgow. From a very young age Corey had a larger than life personality. Corey was a standout varsity basketball player for the Glasgow Scotties and class speaker at his high school graduation in 1987. Corey kept his friends laughing and his teachers on their toes.
Corey attended Jamestown College and Eastern Montana College on basketball scholarships. In 1989 his daughter Brooke was born. After his years at EMC, Corey went to work selling cars and trucks; he was a natural salesman and people leader and went on to have much success in the car business. In 2000, he married Ashley Jackson and they had two daughters, Avery in 2000 and Lily in 2002. His three lovely daughters were his life’s pride and joy; no matter the sport or activity, Corey loved and supported their efforts. As pleased as he was by their talents and beauty, his deepest pride was in their kindness, their work ethic and their relationships with one another and their family.
After two decades and much success in the car business, at the behest of his good friend Chuck Debacker, Corey decided to try his hand at business ownership in the bank card processing industry. As it had been in the car business, his success was quick and Corey became a beloved business partner to clients throughout Montana, Wyoming and South Dakota. In recent years, Corey and Mary Page rekindled a friendship that started nearly 40 years ago on the Tampico route school bus. They chose to do life together and every day was an adventure and a celebration.
Corey loved waking up before the sun and was singing before his feet hit the ground. Prayer and coffee, the gym, a phone call with Jeff, a hearty breakfast and probably another phone call with Jeff were how his favorite days started. Corey lived vibrantly and he loved action. If he wasn’t visiting with customers, checking in on his daughters, talking to Jeff (again) or closing a deal, he was surprising a stranger with a honk and a wave or filling the silence with his own personal auctioneer’s chant. Always, he was looking for a reaction and a chance to make an unsuspecting stranger smile. The end of his favorite kind of day found Corey catching up on Fox News and local news, enjoying one of Mary’s home-cooked family meals, relaxing a little and early to bed.
Corey saw the best in everyone. He loved to give people a chance to tell their story and help them see what made them special. His spirit is sure to live on in all those privileged to truly know him. An extrovert and a family man, Corey was loyal and protective. He had a keen sense of style, loved to laugh and spend quality time with family and friends. He loved good music, especially classic country and would spontaneously two-step if his wife or a daughter was nearby and the urge hit him. Corey enjoyed entertaining at his home and hosting summertime poolside barbecues; yard, lawn, flowers and every detail in perfect order. He would occasionally delight guests with expert dives one might not expect possible by a man who stood 6 ft 6 in. Corey loved to travel, study the history of the places he visited, meet new people and enjoy the local culture. Corey had a bold wit and an occasionally hot temper. He was as quick to apologize as he was to forgive. Corey was genuine and sincere, especially with praise and compliments. He loved a good inside joke, giving nicknames and inventing words and phrases to amuse his friends and family. Corey had a soft spot for animals, hated suffering of any kind and always rooted for the underdog.
Corey was resilient. He was flawed just like each of God’s children, yet very aware of his shortcomings and he never stopped trying to be and do better. Corey was intuitive. He had a very strong sense of truth and was not afraid to call out a lie or deception. While this insight confounded many, it brought out the best in those who chose to rise to the occasion.
Corey was diagnosed with late-stage pancreatic cancer in September, 2021. Determined to fight, Corey and his family consulted with the very best specialists in the world. His battle was as courageous as has ever been fought. He defied every odd and though his incredible care team assured him he fought earnestly and gave 100%, Corey’s body eventually succumbed to the insidious disease. Corey’s spirit prevailed as he spent his last waking moments entertaining his family and himself with his unfailing humor and loving kindness. Friends who visited shared heartfelt stories of how Corey touched their lives and of his impact as a sales leader.
Many were waiting to welcome Corey to heaven including his sister Jeannie; brother Wes; father Larry; grandparents Junior and Helen Craig, Lawrence Johnson and Vince and Esther Barnard and Kirby (a Schnauzer Corey called Rowd or FortyFive).
Heartbroken yet confident of a reunion with Corey in God’s time, he left his mother and step-father Judy and Butch Blatter; brother, lifelong best friend and biggest fan Jeffrey and his wife Linda; daughters Lily, Avery, and Brooke and her husband Eric and their children Malachi and Annika; his wife Mary; his first wife and beloved friend Ashley; sister-in-law Shanlee; nieces Tiffany, Olivia, Maddison and Hillari; nephews Reese, Brock and Maverick and two adoring dogs Oliver and Arlo (aka Dahlbert and Roy).
On August 26, a Billings gathering to celebrate Corey’s life will be held at The Northern Hotel with a service at 3:30 p.m. and social from 4:00-6:00 p.m. A graveside service will be held on August 30 at 1:00 p.m. at Highland Cemetery in Glasgow, Montana with reception to follow at the Cottonwood Inn. Condolences may be left for the family at bellmortuarymontana.com. Corey loved flowers and helping others. If you’d like to honor him with a gift in lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in his name to a charity of your choice helping underprivileged youth, homeless people or animals.
Service Schedule
Celebration of His Life
3:30 p.m.
Friday August 26, 2022
Northern Hotel
19 N Broadway
Billings, MT 59101
Social Gathering
4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Friday August 26, 2022
Northern Hotel
19 N. Broadway
Billings, Montana 59101
Graveside Service
1:00 p.m.
Tuesday August 30, 2022
Highland Cemetery
Highland Drive
Glasgow, Montana 59230
Reception
1:30 p.m.
Tuesday August 30, 2022
Cottonwood Inn
54250 US HWY 2
Glasgow, Montana 59230
Service Schedule
Celebration of His Life
3:30 p.m.
Friday August 26, 2022
Northern Hotel
19 N Broadway
Billings, MT 59101
Social Gathering
4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Friday August 26, 2022
Northern Hotel
19 N. Broadway
Billings, Montana 59101
Graveside Service
1:00 p.m.
Tuesday August 30, 2022
Highland Cemetery
Highland Drive
Glasgow, Montana 59230
Reception
1:30 p.m.
Tuesday August 30, 2022
Cottonwood Inn
54250 US HWY 2
Glasgow, Montana 59230
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Darcey Hanson Buerkle says
Butch, Judy and Jeff and family! I am so sorry to hear about Corey! I have the best memories growing up with Corey, Jeannie and Wes! One of my memories was coming into town with you and Jeannie and Corey was sleeping in the planter at First Security Bank! We had a great laugh at Judy slamming on the breaks in the old Regal 88! May you all find comfort and healing during this difficult time!
Darcey Hanson Buerkle
Cindy McElvain says
I am so sorry for your loss Ashley and family. I didn’t know Cory but our family ties run deep. His mom babysit us when we lived North of Hinsdale. Cory life was full and blessed. Prayers and Hugs to the family.
JoAn Arnold says
Judy and family, I am so sorry. There are no words. Please know you are in my thoughts and prayers
Carolyn Bachtold says
Sorry for your loss! My thoughts are with your family. Cherish the memories!
Nancy Bowman says
To Judy, Butch, Jeff, and Corey’s family, words can not express of how sad I feel for you all to lose yet another family member. Wanting you know that our thoughts and prayers are with you all. May you cling to all the wonderful memories you have of Corey. Remember he lives on in his three daughters. Jim and Nancy Bowman
Dave Fiegle says
My heart breaks for Jeff and Family as well as for Chuck D. who I know loved Corey like a Brother. You all, can rest assured in the
fact that Corey’s fun loving personality and great stories touched a lot of people and he will live on through great memories. I will never forget when Jeff and Chuck introduced me to Corey, it took about 5 mins to realize he was a real man’s man who genuinely had interest in who I was and made me feel like I knew him for years. Although I was only fortunate enough to see Corey a couple times a year, I always looked forward to having a ton of laughs with he and Jeff, all the while having nothing but respect and admiration for his incredible skills in the sales world. Corey will be missed by anyone who was fortunate enough to spend even a short time with him and he will never be forgotten.
Jim Heikens says
Judy, Butch and Jeff, Coreys family, my deepest sympathy to all of you. Corey was a great person. Remember when mom babysat them, long ago. Hadnt seen him in years, hold the memories close.
Laura Heine says
Brooke, Lily, Avery and Ashley- I am so sorry to hear about Corey. My thoughts and prayers are with you all.
Laura Heine
Al Anderson says
Mary, Jeff & Linda and your families; Please accept my heartfelt sympathy in your loss of Corey. I considered Corey a dear friend and enjoyed many conversations with him regarding family, friends and the world in general. I know how much he loved his family and the pride he had in his daughters. Please take comfort in knowing that Corey is in Heaven with those family members who passed before him. I will keep all of you in my thoughts and prayers.
God bless you all.
Al Anderson
Mike Elliott says
I knew Corey and Mary only briefly when they visited our church for a short time. May our gracious God comfort you in your grief! You will be in our prayers.
MIKE LAMP says
I met Corey through his his brother and best friend Jeff when I started in merchant service business. I would reachout to Corey for advice and conversation and I enjoyed our time together. Corey always provided a spark to my day after talking to him. What I would give to have just a fraction of his sales skills! He knew how to help people and deliver what they wanted.
Corey and Jeff had a friendship that all siblings should model after. They connected and enjoyed each others company.
Corey will be deeply missed but I have comfort he is walking with the Lord! God Bless you Corey!
Gary and Donna Dascher says
Dearest Judy, Butch and all of Corey’s family and friends,
I am saddened deeply by this loss of your son, father, brother, husband, uncle, cousin and friend. Love just doesn’t seem fair at times. I don’t know His reasons but I do know it will be a glorious reunion for Wes, Jeannie and him in heaven. And Judy, God made you strong enough in order for you to go through this pain. It’s times like these that we must lean on Jesus more than ever. He will never leave you or forsake you. Hard to believe at times but so true. I love you lady. You all are in our prayers!!!!! God bless you all. Gary and Donna
Juli Lucia-Sanchez says
My condolences to you all.. Corey was a great guy. May he Rest In Peace. Keeping you all in my prayers
John Honaker says
Dear Jeff
I am so sorry for the loss of Corey, he was the
Spark plug in your life. Treasure your memories of
Corey and stay strong in your beliefs.
Your Friend,
John Honaker
Deloma (McGlone) Moore says
Dear Judy, Butch and family. There are just no words to express our sadness over the loss of Corey. We can only share your grief. We are so sorry and please know you are in our hearts and prayers. We are unable to attend Corey’s service but know we are thinking of you all. May God Bless. Love you, Deloma and family
Lance Johnson says
To the family of Corey,
I met Corey and Jeff at Eastern Montana College back in 1990. To say Corey was a character was an understatement!! Corey was my college roommate for a while and we had a blast. The old saying that someone can brighten your day or light up a room full of people, that was Corey Johnson. Even though I did not get to see him as often as I would have liked the last 10 years or so I would think of him and our days in college. Even the day he took the clippers from Miles Mahoney as he was cutting my hair and took a strip down the middle to the scalp!! At first I was not thrilled but the shaved head grew on me. Corey may you rest in peace and know that you were loved and you will be missed!! Gone way too soon but not forgotten.
Thoughts and prayers,
Lance Johnson
Lisa Stroh says
Avery and family,
My thoughts and prayers are with you. Your dad was such a wonderful person. I see so many of his characteristics in you!
Lisa Stroh