Cover photo for Dewey “Buck” Johnson's Obituary
Dewey “Buck” Johnson Profile Photo
1931 Buck Johnson 2025

Dewey “Buck” Johnson

July 22, 1931 — January 26, 2025

Claremore

Visitation for Buck Johnson will be held on Thursday, January 30, 2025, from 1:00-8:00pm with family greeting friends from 5:00-8:00pm. Private family services will be held on Friday, with burial following at Woodlawn Cemetery in Claremore. 

Retired Rogers County Sheriff Dewey "Buck" Johnson, 93, of Claremore, OK, passed away January 26, 2025, surrounded by family. 

He was born on July 22, 1931, in Murphy, North Carolina to Wade Houston and Edna Ora Lamb Johnson Poore. He attended Claremore schools and was a member of the Class of 1951. He lettered in football and basketball. He also attended Cameron University in Lawton, OK. 

Buck married Barbara Gwen Merritt on January 25, 1955. They celebrated their 70th anniversary last Saturday. 

Buck was Chelsea Police Chief in 1957 and '58. He served in the Oklahoma National Guard and US Army in the 45th Infantry. He worked for the Oklahoma Agriculture Department as a dairy inspector in 1961 and '62, based in Woodward, OK. He then served as a Claremore Police officer and was Police Chief from 1963 to 1979. 

Buck then served as a Rogers County Deputy from 1980 and was elected as Sheriff, serving from 1984 to 1996 when he retired. 

Buck loved sports and was the Voice of the Zebras announcing the Claremore High School football games at Lantow Field for 30 years. He was recently inducted into the Claremore Athletic Hall of Fame. He also announced Foyil games for 2 years, '98 and '99, when grandsons Trey and Tyler played. Buck was a huge sports fan, watching football and basketball games on TV, especially the Sooners. 

Buck enjoyed his retirement, filling his time with family activities and trips across the county in their motor home. He also loved to cook outside, as well as gardening and making memories with his grandkids, great-grandkids, and great-great-grandkids.

Buck is survived by his wife of 70 years and one day, Gwen. They had five children; Janelle who passed away in 1979; Karla Botts and husband Corky; Wade who passed away in 1963; Dewey, Jr. and wife Becky; and Andrea Duncan and her husband Paul. Also nine grandchildren, 17 great-grandchildren, and 6 great-great-grandchildren. "He was the pillar of our Family."

In lieu of plants or flowers a donation may be made to The Journey Home, 900 NE Washington Blvd., Bartlesville, OK 74006

To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Dewey “Buck” Johnson, please visit our flower store.

Service Schedule

Past Services

Visitation

Thursday, January 30, 2025

1:00 - 8:00 pm (Central time)

MMS-Payne Funeral Home and Cremation Services-Claremore

102 W 5th St, Claremore, OK 74017

Family will greet friends from 5:00-8:00

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