Johnston, Gordon & Louise

Obituary:  Gordon Johnston - Weeks Family Funeral Home, Sublett, KS

Gordon Johnston, age 89, was born October 5,1926, in Delaware County near Grove, Oklahoma to Lucy Helen (Jones) Johnston and Harry Hayden Johnston. He passed away December 27, 2015, at home.  He is survived by wife Louise; son, Wayne Eugene Johnston (wife Diana), granddaughter Kelli Jo Goree, and great-grandson Leslee Goree; daughter Patricia Salsbery (husband Larry) granddaughter Christina Ruiz, great-grandson Cale Hayden Ruiz; sister, Norma Lea Chick and half-brother, Richard Hart.  He was preceded in death by sisters, Wanda and Juanita; half-brother, Thomas Allen Hart; and great-grandsons, Kyle Aaron Johnston and Daniel Joseph.

Gordon attended grade schools in Delaware County and high school in Grove and Jay, Oklahoma and Southwest City, Missouri.  He was a World War II Veteran, serving with the 32nd Red Arrow Division, on Luzon, Philippines and with the 5th Air Force in the 421st Night Fighter Squadron, in Japan. In June 2013 he had the privilege of going on the Kansas Honor Flight to Washington D.C. to visit the World War II Memorial and other memorials on the National Mall.

Gordon married Louise Wilson at Columbus, Kansas, March 8, 1947. They moved to southwestern Kansas, where he worked on construction and truck driving. In 1953 they moved to Satanta, Kansas. He was employed by a grain elevator and as a foreman for a large farming operation until March 1990. He and his wife Louise retired at that time.  After their retirement they enjoyed touring on their large Gold Wing motorcycle, having visited all 48 states and 8 Canadian Provinces, including Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island. They went to Canada three times, Florida twice, and California twice.  Gordon served over 15 years as a Deputy Sheriff’s Reserve Officer for Haskell County. He served about 17 years on the Dudley Township and Satanta, Kansas fire departments. He was Fire Chief for 15 of those years.

Gordon was a member of the Gold Wing Road Riders Association, Hugoton A.F.&A.M. #406, Lakin Chapter #244 Order of the Eastern Star, American Legion Post #276 Satanta, Kansas, Midian Shrine in Wichita, and AARP. He was a member of Wichita Consistory, Garden City and Liberal Shrine Clubs, and the Two Tired Motorcycle Club of Liberal, Kansas. He was former Captain of Garden City Golden Cycles, Shrine parade unit. He served two terms on Satanta Chamber of Commerce Board, with one term as President. He was Master three times of Satanta Lodge #446 A.F.&A.M., and Worthy Patron of Chapter #457 of the Order of Eastern Star at Satanta.

Visitation will be on Tuesday, December 29, 2015, from 1:00 - 8:00 pm at the First Baptist Church, Satanta, Ks. The family will receive friends from 6:00 until 8:00 pm.  A Home-Going Service will be held Wednesday, December 30, 2015, 10:00 am, at the First Baptist Church, Satanta, Ks.  Interment will be Saturday, January 2, 10:00 am at the Olympus Cemetery, Grove, Ok.

Suggested memorial contributions are to the Shrine Children’s Hospital, St. Louis, Missouri or the Kansas Honor Flight in care of Weeks Family Funeral Home & Crematory, PO Box 1200, Sublette, Ks 67877.