Oren T. “Tom” Johnson, 66, of El Dorado, died Tuesday, Dec. 18, 2012 at the Chanute Health Care Center.

Tom was born in Chanute on Nov. 4, 1946, the son of Oren Franklin and Martha Jane Drake Johnson. He grew up on a farm in Wilson County and was graduated from Midway High School in 1964. He attended NCCJC and then moved to California to work.

He entered the United States Army in 1967 and volunteered for a tour of duty in Vietnam. He was honorably discharged in 1969 and went on to serve in the National Guard for many years.

Tom married Kathy Dyson in Walnut in 1976, they were later divorced.

He worked for several companies including Ruan before being hired by KDOT as a geology technician in Garden City. He worked all over the state and lived in Manhattan for several years and eventually El Dorado, where he retired in 2009 after 25 years of service as a senior engineering technician.

Tom enjoyed spending time with his good friends at the VFW where he had served as Quartermaster and later bookkeeper and manager. He enjoyed watching the financial markets and investing and he also greatly enjoyed viewing sporting events. He was also a member of the American Legion.

Tom is survived by his close friend Sherry Sims of Enid, Okla.; mother, Martha J. McGrath; one brother Richard Johnson and his companion Debra Breeze, niece Angela Johnson Holland and her fiancé Travis Sailbury, great nieces, Kaitlin and Karsin Holland, great-nephew Dakota Holland, all of Chanute; and nephew Chris Johnson of Independence.

Tom has been cremated according to his wishes and his Memorial Service will be held at Fred Priestly VFW Post 1174 in El Dorado at 10 a.m. today, Dec. 22. VFW Chaplain Lewie Cooper and Hospice Chaplin Mark Somerville will conduct the services with a special prayer from Dakota Holland.

Graveside inurnment will be held at Neosho County Memorial Park Cemetery, in Chanute, at 2:30 p.m. today conducted by Pastor Shelly Holle, with an American Legion Riders flag line and an American Legion Honor Guard.

Memorials in his name may be made to Hospice Care of KS, El Dorado, or First Presbyterian Church, Chanute, and may be left with the funeral home.

Penwell-Gabel Johnson Chapel is in charge of arrangements.

To leave a special message for the family online, visit www.PenwellGabelChanute.com