Eugene “Gene” Johnson was born March 11, 1928 in Reydon, Oklahoma to Dorothy Sylvis and Buel Eugene Johnson. He passed away July 20, 2011 at Clinton, Oklahoma at the age of 83 years, 4 months and 9 days.
Gene grew up in the Reydon area and graduated from Reydon High School in 1946. After graduation he spent some time in Alaska before being drafted into the United States Army, in January 1951. While in the Army, he married Darlene Park at Clovis, New Mexico in 152. After his discharge, he began in the amusement park industry working for Disney Land when it was originally being built. He later went on to work for Cedar Point in Ohio, Pleasure Island in Massachusetts and Freedom Land in New York. In 1963 he, along with his family, returned to Roger Mills county where he began farming and ranching for many years until ill health forced his retirement. Gene enjoyed tending the land, animals and spending time on the Washita River.
He was preceded in death by his parents.
He is survived by his son, Stan Johnson, Orlando, FL; daughter, Linda Mandel and husband, Pete, Oklahoma City, OK; grandson, Davin Cole Watson, Oklahoma City, OK; ex-wife, Darlene Johnson, Cheyenne, OK; 1 brother, Gordon Thomas and wife Melba, Reydon, OK; 1 sister, Dana Hartley and husband, Tom, Oklahoma City, OK; and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and friends.
Memorials may be made to the Oklahoma Veterans Center, 1701 South 4th, Clintobn, OK 73601 or Faith Hospice, 222 West 3rd Suite 1, Elk City, OK 73644.
Memorial services were held Saturdaty, July 23, 2011 ar 2:30 pm at the Durham Church of Christ officiated by Cecil Burch. Condolences can be made online at www.whineryfs.com
Cheyenne Star, Cheyenne, OK 28-JUL-2011
Johnson, Eugene “Gene”
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