Eugene "Gene" Elroy Johnson, 70, of Cascade, a Navy veteran and retired honey producer, died of cancer Friday at Peace Hospice.
Survivors include his wife, a daughter, two sons, two sisters, five grandchildren, a daughter-in-law, and many nieces and nephews.
Gene was born Oct. 4, 1936, in Palermo, North Dakota, and raised in Minot, North Dakota, and Bozeman, Montana. He graduated from Gallatin County High School in Bozeman in 1955, and art school in Denver. Eugene joined the Navy in 1955, and served as a radio technician aboard the aircraft carrier Hornet before being honorably discharged in 1959. One of his favorite pastimes was searching for fellow crewmembers who served on board the Hornet with him, as well as classmates from Gallatin County High School.
He worked as a salesman for Levitz in Denver, as well as at Bennett Pontiac in Great Falls, where he met his wife of 29 years. They were married in 1978 in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho. Gene also worked at Don Ryan Olds in Great Falls.
Gene started playing the guitar at the age of 10 and developed a Chet Atkins-style of playing. He played in numerous clubs around Great Falls and Bozeman.
Gene was a beekeeper and honey producer for many years and delivered honey to stores in Great Falls and Helena. He loved talking about bees and would strike up a conversation with just about anyone who was willing to listen.
He was an avid chess player and challenged anyone to a game. He was a member of the Elks Club.
Gene's sister Shirley has fond memories of their growing up years. He was my best friend, counselor, and protector while growing up, she said. He always had a word of wisdom about life or just a piece of brotherly advice.
One of Gene's favorite things to do was visit with his children and grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his mother, Hulda "Tootie" Arnold; his father, Arvid Johnson; a brother, Richard Johnson; and a son, Rev. Randall S. Johnson.
Published in Great Falls Tribune on July 29, 2007
Additional info provided by April
Survivors include his wife, a daughter, two sons, two sisters, five grandchildren, a daughter-in-law, and many nieces and nephews.
Gene was born Oct. 4, 1936, in Palermo, North Dakota, and raised in Minot, North Dakota, and Bozeman, Montana. He graduated from Gallatin County High School in Bozeman in 1955, and art school in Denver. Eugene joined the Navy in 1955, and served as a radio technician aboard the aircraft carrier Hornet before being honorably discharged in 1959. One of his favorite pastimes was searching for fellow crewmembers who served on board the Hornet with him, as well as classmates from Gallatin County High School.
He worked as a salesman for Levitz in Denver, as well as at Bennett Pontiac in Great Falls, where he met his wife of 29 years. They were married in 1978 in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho. Gene also worked at Don Ryan Olds in Great Falls.
Gene started playing the guitar at the age of 10 and developed a Chet Atkins-style of playing. He played in numerous clubs around Great Falls and Bozeman.
Gene was a beekeeper and honey producer for many years and delivered honey to stores in Great Falls and Helena. He loved talking about bees and would strike up a conversation with just about anyone who was willing to listen.
He was an avid chess player and challenged anyone to a game. He was a member of the Elks Club.
Gene's sister Shirley has fond memories of their growing up years. He was my best friend, counselor, and protector while growing up, she said. He always had a word of wisdom about life or just a piece of brotherly advice.
One of Gene's favorite things to do was visit with his children and grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his mother, Hulda "Tootie" Arnold; his father, Arvid Johnson; a brother, Richard Johnson; and a son, Rev. Randall S. Johnson.
Published in Great Falls Tribune on July 29, 2007
Additional info provided by April
Eugene "Gene" Elroy Johnson, 70, of Cascade, a Navy veteran and retired honey producer, died of cancer Friday at Peace Hospice.
Survivors include his wife, a daughter, two sons, two sisters, five grandchildren, a daughter-in-law, and many nieces and nephews.
Gene was born Oct. 4, 1936, in Palermo, North Dakota, and raised in Minot, North Dakota, and Bozeman, Montana. He graduated from Gallatin County High School in Bozeman in 1955, and art school in Denver. Eugene joined the Navy in 1955, and served as a radio technician aboard the aircraft carrier Hornet before being honorably discharged in 1959. One of his favorite pastimes was searching for fellow crewmembers who served on board the Hornet with him, as well as classmates from Gallatin County High School.
He worked as a salesman for Levitz in Denver, as well as at Bennett Pontiac in Great Falls, where he met his wife of 29 years. They were married in 1978 in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho. Gene also worked at Don Ryan Olds in Great Falls.
Gene started playing the guitar at the age of 10 and developed a Chet Atkins-style of playing. He played in numerous clubs around Great Falls and Bozeman.
Gene was a beekeeper and honey producer for many years and delivered honey to stores in Great Falls and Helena. He loved talking about bees and would strike up a conversation with just about anyone who was willing to listen.
He was an avid chess player and challenged anyone to a game. He was a member of the Elks Club.
Gene's sister Shirley has fond memories of their growing up years. He was my best friend, counselor, and protector while growing up, she said. He always had a word of wisdom about life or just a piece of brotherly advice.
One of Gene's favorite things to do was visit with his children and grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his mother, Hulda "Tootie" Arnold; his father, Arvid Johnson; a brother, Richard Johnson; and a son, Rev. Randall S. Johnson.
Published in Great Falls Tribune on July 29, 2007
Additional info provided by April
Survivors include his wife, a daughter, two sons, two sisters, five grandchildren, a daughter-in-law, and many nieces and nephews.
Gene was born Oct. 4, 1936, in Palermo, North Dakota, and raised in Minot, North Dakota, and Bozeman, Montana. He graduated from Gallatin County High School in Bozeman in 1955, and art school in Denver. Eugene joined the Navy in 1955, and served as a radio technician aboard the aircraft carrier Hornet before being honorably discharged in 1959. One of his favorite pastimes was searching for fellow crewmembers who served on board the Hornet with him, as well as classmates from Gallatin County High School.
He worked as a salesman for Levitz in Denver, as well as at Bennett Pontiac in Great Falls, where he met his wife of 29 years. They were married in 1978 in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho. Gene also worked at Don Ryan Olds in Great Falls.
Gene started playing the guitar at the age of 10 and developed a Chet Atkins-style of playing. He played in numerous clubs around Great Falls and Bozeman.
Gene was a beekeeper and honey producer for many years and delivered honey to stores in Great Falls and Helena. He loved talking about bees and would strike up a conversation with just about anyone who was willing to listen.
He was an avid chess player and challenged anyone to a game. He was a member of the Elks Club.
Gene's sister Shirley has fond memories of their growing up years. He was my best friend, counselor, and protector while growing up, she said. He always had a word of wisdom about life or just a piece of brotherly advice.
One of Gene's favorite things to do was visit with his children and grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his mother, Hulda "Tootie" Arnold; his father, Arvid Johnson; a brother, Richard Johnson; and a son, Rev. Randall S. Johnson.
Published in Great Falls Tribune on July 29, 2007
Additional info provided by April
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