Eugene “Gene” “Chief” Frank Johnson
Eugene “Gene” “Chief” Frank Johnson, age 83, of Findley Lake, N.Y., was called to his forever home as he answered his last call on Sunday, Aug. 6, 2017, at LECOM Senior Living Center surrounded by his loving family. He was born in Columbus, N.Y., on Dec. 29, 1933, the son of the late Leon D. and Dora B. Calhoun Johnson.
Gene graduated from New Berlin Central High School in 1952 where he played football, baseball and basketball. He served in the United States Army from 1952-1954 where he served as a Cpl. for seventeen months in Korea during the Korean Conflict.
He then graduated from the New York State Police Academy in 1959. He then worked as Chenango County, New York sheriff’s deputy (1959-1961); Chief of Police of Oxford, New York (1961-1971); and a Penn State University Criminal Investigator (1971-1973). Gene retired from Penn State Behrend as assistant manager of police and safety in 1991 after being chief of security.
Gene was an active member in the Lion’s Club as well as the American Legion Post 376 in Oxford, N.Y., along with being a member of many Police and Security Associations and the New York State Fire Chiefs Association. Gene was a member of many fire departments which included: Oxford Fire Department (NY), Norwich Fire Department (NY), Logan Fire Department of Bellefonte (PA), Greenfield Township Fire Department (PA), and Findley Lake Fire Department (NY) where he was Chief for many years.
He enjoyed stock car racing as a driver and owner in New York where he was elected into the Mid-State Speedway Hall of Fame in 2005. His hobbies also included bowling, hunting, Nascar, his beloved dog Molly and the University of Tennessee Volunteers. Genes’ greatest joy was his family and friends.
He is preceded in death by his parents; his sister, Ethel Mae; and a son, Jeffrey Blaine. He is survived by his wife, M. Elaine Johnson; his two daughters: Jackie Zukowski (Chuck) of Erie, Pa., and Jennifer Dykes (Charles) of Knoxville, TN; a sister, Patricia Bice (Tom) of Edgewater, Fla.; three sister-in-laws: Jean Zieno (Augustine), Janice Miles, and Barb Sleight (William); a brother-in-law, Allan Owen (Terry); numerous cousins, nieces, and nephews; eight grandchildren: Tiffany (Jason), Brian, Tyler, Seth, Trevor, Carly, Chad, and Ethan; and five great-grandchildren: Zachary, Brayden, “his little ladies” Finley and Sadie, and Madison.
Friends may call the Spitzers Funeral Home, 135 Miller St., Sherman, NY 14781 on Friday, Aug. 11, 2017, from 1-3 p.m., the funeral service will be held at 3 p.m. following visitation. Memorial Contributions may be made to the Findley Lake Fire Department, 10372 Main St., Findley Lake, NY 14736; Sherman Fire Department, 122 Park St., Sherman, NY 14781; and/or Greenfield Township Fire Department, 10160 Station Road, North East, PA 16428.