Dr. Gilbert Eugene Johnson

"If I can help somebody as I travel along my way, then my living shall not be in vain."

Mahalia Jackson

Dr. Gilbert Eugene Johnson was born June 26, 1936 in Idabel, Oklahoma to Maggie Nunley and Talbot Johnson, Sr. He departed his earthly life on July 14, 2017 at Hill Nursing, Home in Idabel, Oklahoma. He was preceded in death by his parents and two sisters, Jewellene Johnson Martin and Sandra Patricia Moore.

In 1955 at the age of 15, Dr. Johnson graduated from Booker T. Washington High School in Idabel. With his formative education completed; he matriculated to the campus of Wiley College in Marshall, Texas where, at 19, he earned a Bachelor of Science degree. From there he continued to pursue higher learning. He relocated to Berkley, California to attend the University of California. In 1966, he attained his Medical Degree from Howard University in Washington D.C.

Dr. Johnson was a member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc., diplomat of the American Board of Family Practice, Washington-Slater-Riverside Club, and the W-S-R Grand Reunion Base Committee.

He served in the 101 ^st Airborne Division of the U.S. Army in Fort Campbell, Kentucky. He completed 27 jumps from air crafts and played trumpet in the U.S. Army Band. He completed his last year of active duty in the U.S. Army in 1968.

Dr. Johnson began his medical career at Kaiser-Permanente Hospital in Huntington Park, California. In early 1970, he opened a private practice in Los Angeles where he specialized in family medical and acupuncture. He maintained his medical practice for more than 30 years. He returned home to Idabel and opened a family practice in 1996. Dr. Johnson maintained his medical practice until he retired in 2007.

Dr. Johnson was a scholar, lecturer, researcher, accomplished jazz musician (trumpet, frugal horn, keyboard); above all, he was a compassionate and loving human-being. He had a passion for art, painting, organic gardening, and traveling abroad. He was an avid skier; having skied the slopes in Lake Tahoe, California, Aspen, Colorado, and the beautiful, yet dangerous peaks in Switzerland; and he LOVED every adventure that life took him on.

He began his Christian walk in the Methodist church at an early age. He chose to worship at St. James CME Church in Idabel.

Dr. Johnson was a physician who genuinely cared about his patients; many of whom became his friends. He leaves behind a strong legacy through his family, friends, and patients.

He leaves to lament his death and cherish his precious memory: Children – Christopher (Christina) of Basel, Switzerland; Eric of Davisboro, Georgia; Genevieve of Atlanta, Georgia; and Gilbert Diasako of Seaside, California. Sister – Gloria Hardaway of Jenks, Oklahoma. Brothers – Talbot Johnson, Jr. of Atlanta, Georgia and James Cole of Fairfield, California. Also four grandchildren and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

Visitation with the Johnson Family will be 5-8 PM, Friday, July 28 ^th at Nunley Funeral Home, 3 NW Bois D'Arc Street, Idabel.

The funeral service will be held on Saturday. July 29, 2017 at the By-Pass Church of Christ in Idabel at 11 AM.  His Pastor, Antonio Owens of St. James CME, Idabel, will officiate the service.

Interment will be at Ft. Gibson National Cemetery in Ft. Gibson, Oklahoma on Monday, July 31, 2017.