Curtis Ray Johnson

CURTIS RAY JOHNSON Curtis Ray Johnson, 75, resident of Bartlesville died at 8:00 P.M. Saturday at the Jane Phillips Medical Center, Bartlesville. Memorial Service arrangements will be announced at a later date by the Stumpff Funeral Home & Crematory. A sign by Curt’s backdoor says “Let me live in a house by the side of the road, and be a friend to man” and that is how he chose to live his life. He never met a stranger and never had an acquaintance because every person he encountered he considered a friend. Born February 12, 1937 to Charley A. and Hazel Mamie (Seal) Johnson, Curt was raised in Fredericktown, Mo. At age 11, he went to auctioneer school and became an instant success with his fast paced chant and personality. Among many accomplishments of which he was proud, was FFA Star Farmer his senior year of school. He later continued his education at Missouri School of Mines in Rolla, Missouri. In December of 1957 he was married to Phyllis Rolens and they had three sons. In 1978 Curt married Judith Wilson Portman and gained another son in his family. During his early years, Curt taught in a one room school, sold insurance, raised cattle, and worked with his dad drilling wells. In about 1970 he went to work for Reda Pump, selling water well pumps in the U.S. After several years, he moved to the international marketing department and traveled to and through 108 countries selling equipment for irrigation, municipal water supplies, and off-shore platforms among other uses. He retired from Reda in 1994. After retirement Curt started writing an article for a Nowata newspaper and later the Chronicle of Grand Lake, called “The Hogshooter Philosopher” which he continued until his recent illness. He loved to converse and everyone who knew him, knew him as a teller of great stories of life experiences. An avid historian, Curt’s self published book “ The Outlaws of the Cooweescoowee” was a great source of interest for family and Oklahoma lawman and outlaw researchers and over 1000 copies were sold. He loved to hunt and fish, but mostly he loved to lean on the fence and look at what nature was providing. Mr. Johnson was involved with the Delaware Pow Wow, in Copan for many, many years and was serving as a Committee member. This group was very important to him, and he was disappointed by being unable to attend ceremonies for the past two years. Sustained in life by his daily talks with God, and love of his family, his third love would have to be his special AA family that walked and talked him though 26 years of sobriety. Curt is survived by his wife, Judy, by four sons; Curtis R II and his wife Sherri of Claremore, Eddie Don and wife Diana of Lancaster Texas, Patrick A.R. and wife Rebecca of rural Nowata, and Andrew K, Portman of the home, his brother Don Johnson and wife Pat of Farmington, Mo. and his family, eight grandchildren, several great-grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews, multitudes of cousins he encountered through his family research, and a host of friends,; including special friends; Leon and Marcia Beland, and Gail Inman. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests a donation to the charity of your choice, or the Delaware Pow Wow Committee 401500 W. 600 Rd. Copan, 74022, a library, or buy a book for a child. Reading sustained him throughout his life and the giving of that love to another would greatly please him. Cremation and memorial service arrangements are under the direction of the Stumpff Funeral Home & Crematory. A very special Memorial service will be announced at a later date for the family and friends. PDF Printable Version

Curtis Ray Johnson

February 12, 1937 - May 26, 2012