George C. Johnson, Jr. 87 of Hays and formerly of Russell died Sunday, June 15, 2008 at the St. Johns facility in Hays, Kansas.  George was born Sept. 7, 1920 in Dewey, Oklahoma, the son of George C. and Flossie (Holloway) Johnson.  He grew up in Dewey and graduated from high school in 1940.  He met the love of his life, Dortha, at the skating rink he was working at on New Years Eve, 1939.

George was united in marriage, secretly, on Feb. 22, 1941 in order for Dortha to work at Phillips while he served his country.  George was a Tech. Sergeant in the U.S. Army Air Corp during WWII. He was stationed overseas in India.  After the war George and his family moved to Russell where he worked for Cities Service in the oil patch.  George was in the Air Force Reserves and was called back to duty in 1950.  He returned to Russell in 1951 and continued working for Cities Service until his retirement in 1985.

George was a member of the First Christian Church of Russell and a life member of the Russell V.F.W. Post 6240.  He enjoyed hunting, camping, traveling when he had the chance and visiting with family and friends.

Surviving family include daughter Edith Schoenberger and husband Gene of Ellis, KS; three sons, Jim Johnson and Alan Johnson both of Wichita, KS. and Tim Johnson and wife Jane of Houston, TX; brother, Leon Johnson of New Mexico; three sisters, Cherria Hunt of Corpus Christi, TX, JoAnn Robinson of Wann, OK. and Carrie Cummins of Dewey, OK; 12 grandchildren and 11 great grandchildren.  He was preceded in death by his parents, wife Dortha on March 11, 1997, son Larry Johnson in 2004 and 3 brothers and one sister.