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 were 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