Benjamin Ray Johnson, 78, of Duncan, Okla., passed from this life Saturday, Feb. 13, 2021 surrounded by his family. Services were held at 1 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 20, 2021 in the Bailes-Polk Funeral Home Chapel with Father David Galletly and the Rev. Gary Thurman officiating.
Interment will follow in the Claude Cemetery. Ray was born Jan. 13, 1943 in Claude, Okla., the son of Benjamin Hawkins and Ethel Irene (Searcy) Johnson. He graduated from Addington High School in Addington, Okla. He and Janettie Goff were married Aug. 14, 1965 in Wichita Falls, Texas and she preceded him in death on Dec. 18, 2008.
When he was younger, Ray worked in the oilfield, later he worked as a roofer, fur buyer, mink breeder, custom harvester, farmer, rancher, and late in life, he was a Vo-tech bus driver.
He enjoyed hunting, fishing, horses and roping, raising coon hounds, family cook outs, country music (especially George Jones) and served on the Wright County Election Board in Wright County, Missouri. He attended the Odin Community Church in Hartville, and when he came back to Duncan, Okla., he attended the Beaver Creek Cowboy Church. He was also preceded in death by his parents.
Survivors include his children, Gina Johnson, of Duncan, Okla. and Waylan Johnson and wife, Amy, of Spring Branch, Texas; six grandchildren, Marie Johnson, Luke Johnson, Theophania Johnson, Sarah Johnson, Ian Johnson and Evangelia Johnson; siblings, Kay Wieden and husband, Jack, of Emmett, Idaho; Janice Pecora and husband, Randy, of Saint Francisville, La.; and Tommy Johnson and wife, Debbie, of Carriere, Miss.; as well as a host of nieces and nephews. Online condolences may be made at www.bailespolk.com.
