Jory F. Johnson passed away on February 26, 2022 in Urbana, IL.

Jory was born on October 6, 1950 in Lexington, KY to Irma and Ernst Johnson. He graduated from Trinity College with a B.A. in English and Theatre Arts, and began working in New York City at The New York Public Theatre.  During the off season summer months he often returned to central Kentucky, staying at his brother-in-law's farm in  Bourbon County, where he modernized an old log cabin built in the early nineteenth century.  He also met his wife at a party for a book club, and the two married at the Bourbon County farm in 1983.

Jory became interested in landscape architecture during the time he spent in the country, and eventually signed up for courses in the subject at the University of Kentucky.  He subsequently enrolled at Harvard University for his Master's degree in landscape architecture.  After graduating he worked at Hunter Reynolds Jewell in Raleigh, NC, before entering academia as Assistant Professor at the University of North Carolina Charlotte College of Architecture.

In 1991 Jory moved with his wife and young son to Urbana, IL.  He taught at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign in the Department of Landscape Architecture from 1991 to 2000.  During his career Jory earned a number of awards for excellence in landscape architecture, particularly in writing.

After having a benign brain tumor removed in 1999, Jory had to retire from his job as Assistant Professor at the University of Illinois.  Despite the aphasia he had after brain surgery, Jory lived a full life for the next 23 years.  He worked part time as a Page at the Champaign Public Library and became a dedicated tennis player. He loved the family dogs, and kept both in excellent condition with daily walks and trips to the Urbana Dog Park.

Jory was a steadfast fan of Kentucky basketball.  He enjoyed and excelled at playing board games, especially chess.  He loved folk, country, and bluegrass music.  He had a particular fondness for Bob Dylan.  A voracious reader, Jory would bring new books home from the library constantly and take one with him on errands just in case he found some downtime to read.  He was outgoing and friendly, always willing to chat with anyone he encountered, and was quick to laugh.

Jory wholeheartedly participated in all tasks related to raising his two children. He volunteered regularly at his children's schools and attended all of his children's events despite his health problems.

Jory is survived by his wife Margaret C. Johnson, his children Devin Johnson and Adina Johnson, his sister Brenda Johnson Clay, and numerous nieces and nephews. He is predeceased by his brother Verner Johnson.

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