Obituary for Nathaniel Johnson

Nathaniel Johnson

October 29, 1957 – May 16, 2018

Nathaniel Johnson of Ponca City passed away Wednesday, May 16th after a brave battle. He was 61. He was born on October 29, 1957 in Keams Canyon, Arizona to Norman Archie Johnson and Gladys Mary Lewis Johnson. He received his education in Arizona, graduating high school from Winslow High School in 1976. He was very athletic being involved in track, baseball and basketball. After Graduating, he came to Ponca City to visit family. Then in 1977 he married a local Ponca City woman, and from this union came three children. He raised his two sons and one daughter between Ponca City, Oklahoma and Holbrook, Arizona. He greatly enjoyed singing southern gospel songs and listening to Elvis music. He was a talented member of the Forgiven Quartet. He always had a smile on his face when the New York Yankees were on tv. His favorite colors were orange and blue. He worked as a police officer and dispatcher and later as an officer for the B.I.A. He was a tireless tease and always had a joke on his lips.

Nathaniel will be joining his parents, one sister Helena Spencer, an infant brother, Emmerson and one special Aunt Beulah Campbell in heaven.

He leaves behind to cherish his memory his children Michael J. and wife Veronica Johnson of Enid, Bruce and wife Kristy Johnson, and Jennifer and husband Montana Feathers all of Ponca City; grandchildren Steven Taylor, Nathan Taylor, Samuel Johnson, Violet Johnson, Kristopher Myatt, Andrew Johnson, Janssen Johnson, Steven Allen, Nora Feathers, and Emma Feathers; siblings Anita and husband Edwin Cordova, Dennis and wife Juanita Johnson, Bernita Golding and husband George De Corse, Geneva and husband Curtis Jimmie, Dr. Julian Gunn, Roy Wright, and Debbie Barker; the mother of his children Rose and husband Steve Kaudlekaule, Sr., as well as a host of nieces and nephews, aunts, uncles and cousins.

The family will be hosting traditional tribal services on Friday evening and Saturday at the Ponca Indian Nazarene Church in White Eagle. Pastor Lewis Headman will officiate. On Sunday morning, the services will move to the Ponca Tribal Center. A traditional tribal funeral service will begin with a noon feast at the Ponca Tribal Center in White Eagle, on Monday, May 21, 2018. Grace Memorial Chapel will be directing the service.

Pallbearers for the service will include Brad Johnson, Robert Johnson, Sean Jimmie, Brian Jimmie, Marcus Jimmie, Cameron Jimmie, Alfonso Lovato, and Roy Wright. Honorary bearers are to be Michael Johnson, Dennis Johnson, Curtis Jimmie, Cedrick Jimmie, John Stevens, Ray Paddock, Dennis Stevens, Daniel Stevens, Emery Jackson, and James Stevens.

Dad…so many images come to mind
whenever I speak your name;
It seems without you in my life
things have never been the same.

What happened to those lazy days
when I was just a child;
When my life was consumed in you
in your love, and in your smile.

What happened to all those times
when I always looked to you;
No matter what happened in my life
you could make my gray skies blue.

Dad, some days I hear your voice
and turn to see your face;
Yet in my turning…it seems
the sound has been erased.

Dad, who will I turn to for answers
when life does not make sense;
Who will be there to hold me close
when the pieces just don’t fit.

Oh, Dad, if I could turn back time
and once more hear your voice;
I’d tell you that out of all the dads
you would still be my choice.

Please always know I love you
and no one can take your place;
Years may come and go
but your memory will never be erased.

Today, Jesus, as You are listening
in your home above;
Would you go and find my dad
and give him all my love.

This poem was written/submitted by Judy Burnette.