Obituary of Eugene S. Johnson

Eugene (Gene) S. Johnson, 74, of Lakewood, NY, passed away at 2:35 pm Thursday, February 10, 2022, at the Lutheran Home and Rehabilitation Center, Jamestown, NY. Gene was born January 21, 1948, in Jamestown, NY, a son of C. Elmer and Sigrid Ljungberg Johnson. Throughout his life Gene loved working and serving others. He often knew everyone in a room or quickly found out how they had a connection to someone he knew. He attended Jamestown High School. Most of his life he lived on Park Street in Jamestown where he was affectionately known as the "Mayor of Park Street" and "Beansie". Gene enjoyed Bluegrass music and loved attending festivals and local Bluegrass jams. As a teenager, he was a paperboy and removed snow from the city's sidewalk by horse and plow. Later he worked for the City of Jamestown Parks and Recreation Department for 10 years which included managing the outdoor and indoor Allen Park Ice Arena, assisting with recreation activities, and patrolling the city parks. He had a 36-year trucking career starting with Unloading Corp, later working as a private owner operator, Rowan Concrete, Weise Trucking, C.H. Colvin, and finally NOCO Trucking until he retired in 2005. In addition to his work, Gene was proud of his Swedish heritage and was able to visit Scandinavia later in life. He was active with the Thule Lodge # 127, serving as a chairman of the Lodge and on the Scandinavian Dance Team. He was an active member and past trustee of the Ingjald Lodge # 65, Independent Order of the Vikings. For 25 years he enjoyed spending summers at his trailer at the Viking Lake Park where in the early 90's he was instrumental in installing electric for 50 new trailer sites. Gene was active in masonic circles as a member of the Randolph Lodge # 359, F&AM, a member of the Ismailia Shriners, and the Jamestown Shrine Club. He served several years as president of the Jamestown Shrine Club and loved driving the Krazy Karts in parades and raising money for the Shriners Hospital in Erie, PA. One of Gene's greatest prides was that his three sons and two older grandsons are all Eagle Scouts. He also was proud that all his five younger grandchildren are participating in Scouting. Gene is survived by his devoted wife of 47 years, Charlotte J. Rapp Johnson, whom he married October 19, 1974, three sons: Michael L. (Lisa) Johnson of Kent, OH, Myles L. (Willa) Johnson of Lily Dale, NY, Dr. Matthew L. (Dr. Angela) Johnson of Beaver, PA. Seven grandchildren: Benjamin (Ashley), 1st Lt. Zachary, Finn, Abigail, Nathanael, Kam, and Elizabeth Johnson, and two great-grandchildren: Eleanor, and Everett Johnson. Gene is also survived by two brothers: Charles S. Johnson of St. Louis MO, and John A. (Lori) Johnson of Lakewood, NY. Additionally, he is survived by multiple nieces and nephews including niece Kimberly (Steven) Maynard, and nephew Douglas Whitford. He was preceded in death by his parents, sister Joan Whitford, brother-in-law Thomas Whitford, and niece Kristine Whitford. His family deeply appreciates the compassion and care given to Gene by the staff at Lutheran for the past two and a half years as his 20-year battle with Parkinson's has now ended. The funeral will be held at 11 am Monday in the Lind Funeral Home. The Rev. Daniel S. Rumfelt, retired chaplain of Lutheran will officiate. Burial will be in the Sunset Hill Cemetery. Friends will be received from 2-5 pm Sunday in the funeral home where a masonic lodge funeral service will be led at 4:45 pm Sunday. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to the Shriners Hospital for Crippled Children, 1645 West 8th St. Erie, PA, 16505-5097 or to your local Boy Scouts of America troop or pack. You may leave words of condolence to Gene's family at www.lindfuneralhome.com.