Augusta —Gene W. Johnson, 75, retired structural engineer, passed away at home on Tuesday, May 8, 2012.
Visitation with family was Friday, May 11, at Dunsford Funeral Home in Augusta. Funeral service was at the First Christian Church of Augusta, 1600 State Street on Saturday, May 12, 2012.
Gene was born Aug. 4, 1936, on a small farm outside Erie, Kan., in Neosho County to Glen and Eunice (McGowen) Johnson. He enjoyed a happy childhood as an only child, graduating from Erie High School in 1954, where he excelled in all sports. He attended Pittsburg State University for two years, before transferring to Kansas State University where he graduated in 1958. He married Judith Richey in 1957, and they raised three children together.
Gene’s career took the family to Topeka, Kan., to Bartlesville, Okla., and then to Phoenix, Ariz., where he inspected large construction projects during the city’s boom in the 1970’s. He moved to Wichita in 1978 to return to his Kansas roots, and retired from Wilson & Company Engineers in 2004. He continued to pursue engineering projects in retirement, and was well respected for his attention to detail and concern for safety.
Gene married Jane Bina Kelsey in 1989, and they resided in Augusta. He thoroughly enjoyed being a part of Jane’s large extended family. He was always a handy guy, and enjoyed woodworking, fishing and spending time with family and friends.
Gene was preceded in death by his parents, Glen and Eunice. He is survived by his devoted wife, Jane; his children, Kirk (Kim) Johnson of Fayetteville, N.C., and DeAnn (Clayton) Schuler of Wichita, Jennifer (Todd) Gordon of Shawnee, Kan.; step-daughter Tami Kelsey of Augusta; and grandchildren, Andrew, Matthew, Thomas, Gwyneth, Claire, Celeste, Raichel, Lauren, Tristan and Kamren.
In lieu of flowers, memorials have been established with Harry Hynes Memorial Hospice and the Lord’s Diner in care of the funeral home,
Dunsford Funeral Home & Crematory 201 East Fifth Ave., Augusta, KS 67010, (316) 775-6363, http://www.dunsfordfh.com.