Walter Frank “Shorty” Johnson was born on January 2, 1931 to Ira Orin and Lenore Evelyn (Hardy) Johnson. He was born in the family home, 5 miles east and 2 miles south of Kremlin, Oklahoma. From birth, his siblings were some of his closest friends.
Walter graduated from Kremlin High School in 1948. In 1953, he was drafted into the U.S. Army. He trained at Fort Chaffee, Arkansas and served briefly at Fort Hood, Texas and Ft McClellan, Alabama before being honorably discharged at the end of the Korean War, after only 21 months of service.
He returned to Garfield County and resumed family farming operations with his father and his brother, Lawrence.
On September 13, 1958, he married Doris Lorene Pearson in Fairview, Oklahoma. They made their home north of Breckinridge at what would later be called “the old home place”. The couple had 3 children, Kevin, Larry and Terri Jo. The family’s home was damaged during the flood of 1973 and Walter, with help from friends and family, built the couple’s current home in Breckinridge.
Walter was a hard worker and not content with “wasted” down time. He filled the slower winter months doing carpentry work. He sold crop insurance for several years and volunteered on local farmers’ co-op boards and church committees, and was a member of Enid Mennonite Brethren Church.
Walter enjoyed cattle sales and worked as a clerk for years at the Covington Sale Barn, possibly for the extra income, but more likely for the card games that happened when the sale was over and the work was done.
Walter passed away on March 9, 2017 at St. Mary’s Hospital, Enid, OK. He is survived by his wife Lorene, of the home, his sons, Kevin and wife Teri of Enid, OK, Larry and wife Janice of Hunter, OK and his daughter Terri Martin of Poteau, OK, 7 grandchildren, 9 great-grandchildren, 2 sisters - Velma Schultz of Enid, OK and Evelyn DeBoard of Allen, TX, and many other family members and friends.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Ira and Lenore, his sister, Bernice Buss and his brothers, Alvin and Lawrence Johnson.
The Celebration of Life Service for Walter Johnson will be 10:00 a.m. Monday, March 13, 2017 at Enid Mennonite Brethren Church with Rev. Tommy Donaldson and Rev. Scott Gassoway officiating. Burial will follow in Memorial Park Cemetery under the direction of Ladusau-Evans Funeral Home.
Memorial may be made to Enid Mennonite Brethren Church or Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation-Cancer Division with Ladusau-Evans Funeral Home serving as custodians of the funds. Condolences may be made online and the service may be viewed online at www.ladusauevans.com .