Obituary of M. Duane Johnson

M. Duane Johnson, age 80, of Wagoner, OK (formerly of Coweta) passed away on Wednesday afternoon, March 16, 2011 at his home in Wagoner, OK. He was a loving husband, father, brother, grandfather, great-grandfather and uncle. Duane was born on January 6, 1931 in Story County, IA to Milford O. and S. Jeanette (Hauge) Johnson. He was raised on a farm in Iowa and graduated from Ankeny High School in 1948. Duane and Elaine Walker were married on December 26, 1954 in Burlington, IA and they made their home in Ankeny, IA for nearly 30 years. He was a farmer for most of his life until he decided to retire from farming in 1983. After retiring in 1983, he and Elaine moved to the Tulsa, Broken Arrow, Coweta and Wagoner areas. After moving to the area, Duane owned and operated The Tool Chest, Inc. for nearly 10 years. He was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Coweta. Duane was also a member of the Oklahoma Antique Tractor Association and the National Farmers Organization. Duane enjoyed farming, riding motorcycles, tractor pulling and restoring tractors, and traveling to see family and friends. Duane is lovingly survived by his wife of 56 years, Elaine of the home; three sons, Tony Johnson and wife, Terry, of Ankeny, IA, Bruce Johnson and wife, JorJan, of Ankeny, IA and Scott Johnson and wife, Beve, of Des Moines, IA; one daughter, Lori Smith and husband, Bob, of Coweta, OK; three brothers, Jerold Johnson and wife, Liz, of Ankeny, IA, Merle Johnson and wife, Susan, of Ankeny, IA and Allen Johnson and wife, Marva, of Ankeny, IA; two sisters, Verdel Odgaard of Ankeny, IA and Janet Longcor and husband, Jim, of Des Moines, IA; 9 grandchildren, Kyle, Ray & Bev, Wendy & Asa, Kelly & Shawn, Candice & Ben, Jacquelyn & Jason, Jordan, Blake and Micah; 6 great grandchildren, Lane, Jaysa, Brady, Akaeda, Eiros and Willow; and numerous nieces, nephews and other relatives. Duane was preceded in death by his parents. Funeral services for Duane will be at 2:00 p.m. on Friday, March 18, 2011 at the First United Methodist Church in Coweta with Rev. Susan Whitley officiating. A viewing will be held at the funeral home on Thursday, March 17, 2011 from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. Burial will be on Tuesday, March 22, 2011 at Ankeny Memorial Gardens in Ankeny, IA. Friends may send condolences to the family online at www.wrightfh.net. The family of M. Duane Johnson entrusted his care and services to Wright Funeral Home, 210 S. Broadway, Coweta, OK 74429, (918) 486-5515. Pallbearers are Gary Godfrey, Guy Cabbiness, Don Morton, Sandy Ullrich, Murry Syfert, Dennis Hodges, Dan Queck and Pat Smith. Honorary Pallbearers are the members of the Oklahoma Antique Tractor Association. Memorial contributions may be made in memory of Mr. Johnson to the Oklahoma Antique Tractor Association.