Gene Johnson
courtesy photo
Gene Johnson
POLSON — Gene Wallace Johnson, 78, of Polson passed away on Thursday, Nov. 10, at home. He was born on May 23, 1944, in Dickinson, North Dakota, to Wayne Johnson and Della Hundredmark. He was the youngest of their 11 children.
Gene moved to Polson as a young child and lived there until he joined the Army in 1966 where he served in the Old Guard in Fort Meyer, Virginia. He was awarded the Good Conduct Medal, and the National Defense Service Medal. He also served on the color guard for Robert Kennedy’s funeral. He moved back after his service where he settled to raise his three children. He briefly lived in Medical Lake, Washington, before returning to his beloved Montana to finish out his years.
He worked throughout his life as a carpenter, farmer, millwright, truck driver, and for the department of defense before retiring.
He was a proud member of the NRA, as well as the American Legion and Elks Club. He also was a member of the senior bowling league before his passing.
He was an avid outdoorsman and enjoyed hunting, fishing, camping, back country excursions on his horses, boating, waterskiing, and later golf, and competitive billiards. His children were fortunate to participate in his adventures and continue to enjoy these activities as well.
He was a loving father, grandfather, and friend. His family remembers him as compassionate, humorous, generous, humble, and incredibly down to earth. If heaven is located in Cabela’s, then we hope he is in Cabela’s.
He is preceded in death by his mother and father; infant son, Dennis; and nine of his brothers and sisters.
He is survived by his companion, Alice Johnson of Polson; brother, Gary Johnson of Queens Creek, Arizona; his son, Jerry Johnson of Hot Springs; his wife, Trisha; his daughter, Anna Marie Marshall of Henderson, Nevada, her husband, David and son, Ryan Johnson of Northway Alaska; along with his 11 grandchildren; several great-grandchildren and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.
His family laid him to rest on Nov. 19, 2022.
Messages of condolences may be shared with the family online at: www.lakefuneralhomeandcremation.com. Arrangements are under the care of The Lake Funeral Home and Crematory.
“Promise me you’ll always remember you’re braver than you believe, and stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think” - Christopher Robin
