Gary Johnson

Gary L. Johnson, 74, of Oakley, Kansas entered God’s Kingdom on Friday, October 15th, 2021 at St. Luke’s Medical Center in Kansas City, MO. He was born to Frank and Doris (Phelps) Johnson in Quinter, Kansas on December 5th, 1946.

Gary married the love of his life, Toni Mitten on January 21, 1968. In 1969 they moved to Oakley where Gary and his father-in-law, Jim Mitten built and operated Mitten Truck Stop which became Gary and Toni’s lifelong careers. Gary was extremely proud of the fact the truckstop has now grown to a full-service Travel Center and a multifaceted business that is still in the family and being operated by his nephew Matt Mildenberger. Through all the years his years of working so hard to make the business grow, Gary’s greatest joy was all of his dedicated employees. He always felt that it was their hard work that contributed to making Mitten Inc. what it has become today. He appreciated each and every one.

Throughout the years Gary was very active in the Truckstop industry, where he served on the NATSO board, NATSN Board, PMCA board, KMCA board and Texaco Directors board. Gary was extremely proud of his involvement in bringing Western Plains Energy to Oakley and has served on its board from its origin until the time of his death. He served his community by being on the Logan County Fair Board, The Oakley Trap Club board, Oakley Country Club board and his leadership continued into his retirement where he served on the Gulf Waters RV Resort board in Texas.

Gary was an avid outdoorsman. He loved hunting, fishing, and his dogs, whether they turned out to be wonderful hunting companions or in some cases just loving friends. His passion for trap shooting and sporting clays involved running numerous shoots at the Oakley Trap Club and starting a sporting clay course (Horseshoe Bend) North of Hoxie. He and his family spent many years enjoying their family’s cabin at Webster State Park. If you hadn’t seen Gary in a day or two and it was summertime, there’s a pretty good chance you could find him on the lake at Webster fishing, or playing pitch with his buddies in Stockton.

Gary and Toni loved traveling throughout the country in their RV for much of their lives. Gulf Waters RV Resort became their winter home for the last 12 years. They were blessed there to meet so many people from all over the entire country that became very special lifelong friends. There was nothing more important to Gary than friends. And he seemed to always make new ones wherever he went.

Gary is survived by his wife of 53 years, Toni, son Chris and his fiancé Malinda Dean, sister Kathy Thomas, brother-in-law Larry Bley, nephew and niece Matt and Misty Mildenberger, nephew Greg Thomas, niece Cody Dale, and the two brightest lights of his life, MaKenzie and Mariah Mildenberger, affectionately known to Gary as Charlie and Maynard!

He was proceeded in death by his parents Frank and Doris Johnson, his in-laws Jim and Estelene Mitten and his sister-in-law, Tami (Mitten) Bley and many close friends who were dear to his heart.

A Memorial Service will take place at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, October 20, 2021, at the Buffalo Bill Cultural Center, Oakley. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to the “Friends of Webster.” which will benefit Webster State Park so it can continue to be enjoyed by all in the way he and his family have loved it, or the charity of your choice and sent in care of Baalmann Mortuary, PO Box 204, Oakley, KS 67748. For information or condolences visit www.baalmannmortuary.com