Gene Johnson Obituary

Gene Covert Johnson was born September 30, 1934 to Nell and Albert S. Johnson in Ardmore, Oklahoma. He flew west on December 22, 2009, according to his granddaughter, to get his wings. Gene was raised on farms and various homes in Oklahoma and Oregon. He attended OBU and Oklahoma A&M for his college years and joined the Naval aviation program as a cadet in 1957. His three army officer brothers were surprised but after his days in Pensacola and Miramar Naval Air Station he began a career which he loved. In 1958 he met Barbara Heim and they were married at Alameda Naval Air Station on July 11, 1959 before he cruised with his squadron on the USS Midway. He remained a reserve officer until his retirement in 1978 as a Lt. Commander. Gene worked for an aviation insurance company for several years in Los Angeles, California and began a career as a pilot for TWA in 1966. He loved flying and he and Barbara traveled all over the world, sometimes accompanied by children Kimberly (husband Dr. Jonathan Knight), Robert (wife Gabrielle), and Cassandra (husband Dan Fava). They were blessed with grandchildren, Alexandra, Lauren, Hannah & Wolf Johnson. Retirement found them moving from California to Colorado Springs, Colorado in 1995. He was a quiet, generous, humble man who always had other's children under his roof. The best of fathers, there was nothing he wouldn't do for his children and their friends. He survived several critical health problems, but as the warrior he was, he finally fought his last battle December 22nd, shortly after his 75th birthday and 50th wedding anniversary. He was one of a kind and his mighty influence will live on in those whose lives he touched. He leaves in addition to his wife, children, and grandchildren, a brother Bill Johnson of Louisville, Kentucky; a sister Dorothy Austin of Wichita, Kansas; and numerous loved in-laws, nephews, and nieces. His parents preceded him in death as well as two brothers, Walton and Todd, and a sister, Edith. He was cremated and private services were held.