Monill Lane Johnson was born February 14, 1926 in Panama, Oklahoma to Ruben George Johnson and Ruby Catherine Hedgecock. He left this earth at the age of 93 on April 1, 2019 in McAlester, Oklahoma after lingering health issues.
Lane was preceded in death by his parents and his wife, Thelma Moore Johnson, two sisters, Jo Margaret Johnson and Connie Johnson Henderson; and two brothers, Ruben George Johnson Jr, and Murray Dean Johnson. He is survived by his current wife, Patricia Reddick Johnson, his sister, Nedra Mallow, and two brothers James Jackson and Ronnie Jackson. He is survived by his daughter, Rose Lumpkin (husband Ralph), son Michael Johnson (wife Jill), son Patrick (wife Melanie), and daughter Nancy Ladd. He also has two granddaughters, Kari Lumpkin (husband Kevin), and Laci Johnson. He has six grandsons Kirk Lumpkin (wife Michelle), Lane Johnson III , Bryce Johnson, Nathan Johnson, Garrett Johnson, and Trenton Johnson. He is also survived by six great-grandchildren, Tyler, Kaitlyn, and Ryan Lumpkin; Adalyn Johnson; and Kameron and Karli McCray. Lane is also survived by numerous other nieces, nephews, relations, and friends.
When Lane was still a baby, his parents moved from Panama to Kemp, Oklahoma. It was there that Lane completed his schooling. In the fall of 1941, Lane was age 15 and worked in Durant a few weeks at a temporary part-time job and during that time he met and became infatuated with a 15-year old girl and she became pregnant. Their daughter, Nancy, was born on July 27, 1942 in the Durant Hospital on 16th street. Marriage was not an option. The girl quit school to take care of her baby and ultimately she moved from Durant to Oklahoma City. Japan had attacked Pearl Harbor in December 1941. Lane turned 16 in February 1942 and his mother signed the papers for him to join the Navy and fight in the Pacific War. Lane never saw his daughter again until she turned 60 and her adopted father had died. At that time, with her dear mother's approval, she contacted Lane and they enjoyed a warm relationship until his death.
Lane served in the U.S. Navy from August 26, 1942, to October 25, 1945 on the battleship USS New Mexico. He served in the Asiatic Pacific Theatre, the Marshalls, Leyte, Luzon, Okinawa, Mindora Campaign, and the Aleutians. A highly decorated combat Bosun's Mate, he was awarded the American Theatre Ribbon, the Asiatic Pacific Ribbon with seven Battle Stars, the Okinawa Ribbon with one Battle Star, the Philippine Liberation Ribbon with one Battle Star, the Good Conduct Medal, and the Victory Ribbon.
After returning from the war, Lane moved to Dallas and started working for Braswell Motor Freight where his father worked. Lane met a young woman named Thelma In November 1946, they married in Dallas. He told Thelma that he had a daughter but he had no idea where she might be. Lane transferred with Braswell to El Paso, Texas in 1947, where he and Thelma lived for the next 20 years. Three of their children, Rose, Mike, and Patrick were born in El Paso. In 1970, Lane and his family transferred back to Dallas and almost immediately accepted a job with the Merchant Fast Motor Lines. Lane moved his family to Abilene where they lived until his retirement. At the time of his retirement, Lane had been in the trucking business for 43 years and was the Vice President of Labor Relations and Operations for Merchant Fast Motor Line. He retired on December 31, 1988.
Lane was a 33 degree Mason, a member of the Royal Order of Jesters, and a Shriner. An accomplished musician, Lane loved Bob Wills and western swing music, and was on a first-name basis with numerous well-known artists and members of various western swing Hall-of-Fame groups. He was inducted into the Western Swing Hall of Fame in Oklahoma as well as the Seattle Western Swing Hall of Fame. He played the guitar, the fiddle and other instruments and had a wonderfully deep singing voice.
Lane was known for his musical talent, his sense of humor, and his wit. He reveled in the company of family and friends and was never at a loss for words, nor hesitant in stating his opinions. His boundless energy and desire to be involved in activities around him kept him extremely busy after his retirement. He truly was a unique man who will be truly missed, but our love and memories of him will be carried in our hearts forever. Memorial services and interment took place at Highland Cemetery in Durant, Oklahoma. He was buried by his wife, Thelma.
Lane was preceded in death by his parents and his wife, Thelma Moore Johnson, two sisters, Jo Margaret Johnson and Connie Johnson Henderson; and two brothers, Ruben George Johnson Jr, and Murray Dean Johnson. He is survived by his current wife, Patricia Reddick Johnson, his sister, Nedra Mallow, and two brothers James Jackson and Ronnie Jackson. He is survived by his daughter, Rose Lumpkin (husband Ralph), son Michael Johnson (wife Jill), son Patrick (wife Melanie), and daughter Nancy Ladd. He also has two granddaughters, Kari Lumpkin (husband Kevin), and Laci Johnson. He has six grandsons Kirk Lumpkin (wife Michelle), Lane Johnson III , Bryce Johnson, Nathan Johnson, Garrett Johnson, and Trenton Johnson. He is also survived by six great-grandchildren, Tyler, Kaitlyn, and Ryan Lumpkin; Adalyn Johnson; and Kameron and Karli McCray. Lane is also survived by numerous other nieces, nephews, relations, and friends.
When Lane was still a baby, his parents moved from Panama to Kemp, Oklahoma. It was there that Lane completed his schooling. In the fall of 1941, Lane was age 15 and worked in Durant a few weeks at a temporary part-time job and during that time he met and became infatuated with a 15-year old girl and she became pregnant. Their daughter, Nancy, was born on July 27, 1942 in the Durant Hospital on 16th street. Marriage was not an option. The girl quit school to take care of her baby and ultimately she moved from Durant to Oklahoma City. Japan had attacked Pearl Harbor in December 1941. Lane turned 16 in February 1942 and his mother signed the papers for him to join the Navy and fight in the Pacific War. Lane never saw his daughter again until she turned 60 and her adopted father had died. At that time, with her dear mother's approval, she contacted Lane and they enjoyed a warm relationship until his death.
Lane served in the U.S. Navy from August 26, 1942, to October 25, 1945 on the battleship USS New Mexico. He served in the Asiatic Pacific Theatre, the Marshalls, Leyte, Luzon, Okinawa, Mindora Campaign, and the Aleutians. A highly decorated combat Bosun's Mate, he was awarded the American Theatre Ribbon, the Asiatic Pacific Ribbon with seven Battle Stars, the Okinawa Ribbon with one Battle Star, the Philippine Liberation Ribbon with one Battle Star, the Good Conduct Medal, and the Victory Ribbon.
After returning from the war, Lane moved to Dallas and started working for Braswell Motor Freight where his father worked. Lane met a young woman named Thelma In November 1946, they married in Dallas. He told Thelma that he had a daughter but he had no idea where she might be. Lane transferred with Braswell to El Paso, Texas in 1947, where he and Thelma lived for the next 20 years. Three of their children, Rose, Mike, and Patrick were born in El Paso. In 1970, Lane and his family transferred back to Dallas and almost immediately accepted a job with the Merchant Fast Motor Lines. Lane moved his family to Abilene where they lived until his retirement. At the time of his retirement, Lane had been in the trucking business for 43 years and was the Vice President of Labor Relations and Operations for Merchant Fast Motor Line. He retired on December 31, 1988.
Lane was a 33 degree Mason, a member of the Royal Order of Jesters, and a Shriner. An accomplished musician, Lane loved Bob Wills and western swing music, and was on a first-name basis with numerous well-known artists and members of various western swing Hall-of-Fame groups. He was inducted into the Western Swing Hall of Fame in Oklahoma as well as the Seattle Western Swing Hall of Fame. He played the guitar, the fiddle and other instruments and had a wonderfully deep singing voice.
Lane was known for his musical talent, his sense of humor, and his wit. He reveled in the company of family and friends and was never at a loss for words, nor hesitant in stating his opinions. His boundless energy and desire to be involved in activities around him kept him extremely busy after his retirement. He truly was a unique man who will be truly missed, but our love and memories of him will be carried in our hearts forever. Memorial services and interment took place at Highland Cemetery in Durant, Oklahoma. He was buried by his wife, Thelma.
Monill Lane Johnson was born February 14, 1926 in Panama, Oklahoma to Ruben George Johnson and Ruby Catherine Hedgecock. He left this earth at the age of 93 on April 1, 2019 in McAlester, Oklahoma after lingering health issues.
Lane was preceded in death by his parents and his wife, Thelma Moore Johnson, two sisters, Jo Margaret Johnson and Connie Johnson Henderson; and two brothers, Ruben George Johnson Jr, and Murray Dean Johnson. He is survived by his current wife, Patricia Reddick Johnson, his sister, Nedra Mallow, and two brothers James Jackson and Ronnie Jackson. He is survived by his daughter, Rose Lumpkin (husband Ralph), son Michael Johnson (wife Jill), son Patrick (wife Melanie), and daughter Nancy Ladd. He also has two granddaughters, Kari Lumpkin (husband Kevin), and Laci Johnson. He has six grandsons Kirk Lumpkin (wife Michelle), Lane Johnson III , Bryce Johnson, Nathan Johnson, Garrett Johnson, and Trenton Johnson. He is also survived by six great-grandchildren, Tyler, Kaitlyn, and Ryan Lumpkin; Adalyn Johnson; and Kameron and Karli McCray. Lane is also survived by numerous other nieces, nephews, relations, and friends.
When Lane was still a baby, his parents moved from Panama to Kemp, Oklahoma. It was there that Lane completed his schooling. In the fall of 1941, Lane was age 15 and worked in Durant a few weeks at a temporary part-time job and during that time he met and became infatuated with a 15-year old girl and she became pregnant. Their daughter, Nancy, was born on July 27, 1942 in the Durant Hospital on 16th street. Marriage was not an option. The girl quit school to take care of her baby and ultimately she moved from Durant to Oklahoma City. Japan had attacked Pearl Harbor in December 1941. Lane turned 16 in February 1942 and his mother signed the papers for him to join the Navy and fight in the Pacific War. Lane never saw his daughter again until she turned 60 and her adopted father had died. At that time, with her dear mother's approval, she contacted Lane and they enjoyed a warm relationship until his death.
Lane served in the U.S. Navy from August 26, 1942, to October 25, 1945 on the battleship USS New Mexico. He served in the Asiatic Pacific Theatre, the Marshalls, Leyte, Luzon, Okinawa, Mindora Campaign, and the Aleutians. A highly decorated combat Bosun's Mate, he was awarded the American Theatre Ribbon, the Asiatic Pacific Ribbon with seven Battle Stars, the Okinawa Ribbon with one Battle Star, the Philippine Liberation Ribbon with one Battle Star, the Good Conduct Medal, and the Victory Ribbon.
After returning from the war, Lane moved to Dallas and started working for Braswell Motor Freight where his father worked. Lane met a young woman named Thelma In November 1946, they married in Dallas. He told Thelma that he had a daughter but he had no idea where she might be. Lane transferred with Braswell to El Paso, Texas in 1947, where he and Thelma lived for the next 20 years. Three of their children, Rose, Mike, and Patrick were born in El Paso. In 1970, Lane and his family transferred back to Dallas and almost immediately accepted a job with the Merchant Fast Motor Lines. Lane moved his family to Abilene where they lived until his retirement. At the time of his retirement, Lane had been in the trucking business for 43 years and was the Vice President of Labor Relations and Operations for Merchant Fast Motor Line. He retired on December 31, 1988.
Lane was a 33 degree Mason, a member of the Royal Order of Jesters, and a Shriner. An accomplished musician, Lane loved Bob Wills and western swing music, and was on a first-name basis with numerous well-known artists and members of various western swing Hall-of-Fame groups. He was inducted into the Western Swing Hall of Fame in Oklahoma as well as the Seattle Western Swing Hall of Fame. He played the guitar, the fiddle and other instruments and had a wonderfully deep singing voice.
Lane was known for his musical talent, his sense of humor, and his wit. He reveled in the company of family and friends and was never at a loss for words, nor hesitant in stating his opinions. His boundless energy and desire to be involved in activities around him kept him extremely busy after his retirement. He truly was a unique man who will be truly missed, but our love and memories of him will be carried in our hearts forever. Memorial services and interment took place at Highland Cemetery in Durant, Oklahoma. He was buried by his wife, Thelma.
Lane was preceded in death by his parents and his wife, Thelma Moore Johnson, two sisters, Jo Margaret Johnson and Connie Johnson Henderson; and two brothers, Ruben George Johnson Jr, and Murray Dean Johnson. He is survived by his current wife, Patricia Reddick Johnson, his sister, Nedra Mallow, and two brothers James Jackson and Ronnie Jackson. He is survived by his daughter, Rose Lumpkin (husband Ralph), son Michael Johnson (wife Jill), son Patrick (wife Melanie), and daughter Nancy Ladd. He also has two granddaughters, Kari Lumpkin (husband Kevin), and Laci Johnson. He has six grandsons Kirk Lumpkin (wife Michelle), Lane Johnson III , Bryce Johnson, Nathan Johnson, Garrett Johnson, and Trenton Johnson. He is also survived by six great-grandchildren, Tyler, Kaitlyn, and Ryan Lumpkin; Adalyn Johnson; and Kameron and Karli McCray. Lane is also survived by numerous other nieces, nephews, relations, and friends.
When Lane was still a baby, his parents moved from Panama to Kemp, Oklahoma. It was there that Lane completed his schooling. In the fall of 1941, Lane was age 15 and worked in Durant a few weeks at a temporary part-time job and during that time he met and became infatuated with a 15-year old girl and she became pregnant. Their daughter, Nancy, was born on July 27, 1942 in the Durant Hospital on 16th street. Marriage was not an option. The girl quit school to take care of her baby and ultimately she moved from Durant to Oklahoma City. Japan had attacked Pearl Harbor in December 1941. Lane turned 16 in February 1942 and his mother signed the papers for him to join the Navy and fight in the Pacific War. Lane never saw his daughter again until she turned 60 and her adopted father had died. At that time, with her dear mother's approval, she contacted Lane and they enjoyed a warm relationship until his death.
Lane served in the U.S. Navy from August 26, 1942, to October 25, 1945 on the battleship USS New Mexico. He served in the Asiatic Pacific Theatre, the Marshalls, Leyte, Luzon, Okinawa, Mindora Campaign, and the Aleutians. A highly decorated combat Bosun's Mate, he was awarded the American Theatre Ribbon, the Asiatic Pacific Ribbon with seven Battle Stars, the Okinawa Ribbon with one Battle Star, the Philippine Liberation Ribbon with one Battle Star, the Good Conduct Medal, and the Victory Ribbon.
After returning from the war, Lane moved to Dallas and started working for Braswell Motor Freight where his father worked. Lane met a young woman named Thelma In November 1946, they married in Dallas. He told Thelma that he had a daughter but he had no idea where she might be. Lane transferred with Braswell to El Paso, Texas in 1947, where he and Thelma lived for the next 20 years. Three of their children, Rose, Mike, and Patrick were born in El Paso. In 1970, Lane and his family transferred back to Dallas and almost immediately accepted a job with the Merchant Fast Motor Lines. Lane moved his family to Abilene where they lived until his retirement. At the time of his retirement, Lane had been in the trucking business for 43 years and was the Vice President of Labor Relations and Operations for Merchant Fast Motor Line. He retired on December 31, 1988.
Lane was a 33 degree Mason, a member of the Royal Order of Jesters, and a Shriner. An accomplished musician, Lane loved Bob Wills and western swing music, and was on a first-name basis with numerous well-known artists and members of various western swing Hall-of-Fame groups. He was inducted into the Western Swing Hall of Fame in Oklahoma as well as the Seattle Western Swing Hall of Fame. He played the guitar, the fiddle and other instruments and had a wonderfully deep singing voice.
Lane was known for his musical talent, his sense of humor, and his wit. He reveled in the company of family and friends and was never at a loss for words, nor hesitant in stating his opinions. His boundless energy and desire to be involved in activities around him kept him extremely busy after his retirement. He truly was a unique man who will be truly missed, but our love and memories of him will be carried in our hearts forever. Memorial services and interment took place at Highland Cemetery in Durant, Oklahoma. He was buried by his wife, Thelma.
