Mr. Eugene M. Johnson, Jr., after 70 years, was "beckoned by the Master" on Friday, September 2, 2016 from Tulsa.

Gene's life was far from ordinary and from a young age he tackled each day with purpose and dedication. Whether marching with the drill team, gliding across the dance floor, creating and running a boys home, mentoring cadets, teaching middle-schoolers during MASH Camp, or crooning like Sinatra during karaoke…if he did it, it was worth doing; and done with compassion, commitment and masterful intent.

Throughout his life he remained dedicated to family as a loving son and brother, a devoted husband, father, step-father, grandfather and friend.

There has never been a time where his dedication to service was not visible; without question it's clear that Civil Air Patrol (CAP) has been his constant passion. From his roles as a Pretorian Guard member, to Drill Team Leader – successfully taking his team all the way to Nationals, to Squadron Commander, to Deputy Commander for Seniors, his passion for CAP never wavered but that was not enough for Gene. Who else but "Gene-O" could have been an Undercover Narcotics Officer for the Brevard County Police Department and a Chaplin for the Tulsa Police Department in a single lifetime. He was able to serve and protect and as an ordained minister he was able to uplift and shepherd. The list goes on with countless other prestigious roles like serving as the Southwest Tulsa Chamber of Commerce President and most recently as a long standing member of the American Legion, being installed as the Post Commander for American Legion Post 308 in July.

As further evidence about how Gene personified the word "dedication" in everything he did, he was determined to never stop learning. He was actually in the final stages of earning his Doctorate in Education with only his dissertation left to defend and while he never had any formal training as a photographer he was very accomplished in what he considered a hobby; even winning awards for first place in the Architecture and Portrait classes and Best in Division for his entries in the Tulsa State Fair.

He was dedicated to making a difference as an Educator, retiring from Tulsa Community College and as a valued mentor whether he formally signed up for the role or not; Gene just had an effortless way of making every person he came in contact with feel like they mattered and he saw them.

To the very last moment before he was "beckoned by the Master," Eugene Michael Johnson, Jr. remained dedicated to doing more, being more and giving more…a life lived his way and to the fullest.

Funeral Mass for Mr. Johnson will be celebrated on Saturday, September 17, 2016 at 10:00 AM in the Church at St. Mary's.

Visitation will be on Friday from 1:00 PM until 7:00 PM at the funeral home in Tulsa, and on Saturday morning at the Church, beginning at 9:00 AM.

: Flowers can be sent to Keith Biglow Funeral Directors for those who would like to send monetary contributions in lieu of flowers, the family will be completing his bucket list for him and a "Go Fund Me" account has been set up in his honor.