George Dewayne Johnston

George Edward Dewayne Johnston was born on May 4, 1931, at Home in a small tin roofed house at Welch Prairie, Oklahoma. He was the 4th child of five children of George Oliver and Ollie (Welch) Johnston.

As a boy, Dewayne walked to a small rural elementary school near the cave spring. He attended high school in Kansas, Oklahoma. After graduating, he attended NEO in Miami, Oklahoma. After completing junior college, Dewayne joined the Air Force. After four years in the Air Force, he attended college at the University of Tulsa, where he obtained his bachelor’s degree.

He worked as an accountant for over 70 years at several businesses: Happy Company, Marley and Hammaco.

While in the Air Force, he married Onelda Lee Wirght. They made their home in Tulsa and had three sons. The family moved to Inola in January 1966. Dewayne became very involved in the community. The family joined First Baptist Church, he helped coach PeeWee baseball, was on a men’s bowling team and loved to play cards with friends. Dewayne was a dedicated fan of Inola school sports. You could find him many nights cheering for the Longhorns because his sons played football, baseball, and basketball. He was an avid sportsman. He loved hunting and fishing. Although he has many big game trophy mounts his prize trophies were his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.

Dewayne enjoyed going to antique car shows with his son. He attended OSU football fames with a granddaughter. He supported his grandson at arm wrestling tournaments. He has attended countless events with his great-grandchildren. Onelda passed from this world in December 1996. Dewayne remarried to longtime family friend, Vivian “Sue” Smith in 2002. Sue passed in January 2025.

As a veteran of the Korean War, Dewayne was selected to participate in Oklahoma Honor Flight to Washington D.C. He was selected a second time to attend as a Cherokee Honor Warrior.

Dewayne was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers Robert Johnston and J.W. Johnston, one sister Wynona Rich, two nephews Terry Johnston and Jerry Rich.

He is survived by three sons and daughters-in-law: Leland and Kara Johnston of Bunch, Oklahoma; Lyndyll and Lisa Johnston of Inola, Oklahoma; Lesley and Elisa Johnston of Inola, Oklahoma. Three grandchildren and spouses: Tiffany and Jon Willhite of Muskogee, Oklahoma; Cara and Caleb Thompson of Owasso, Oklahoma; Corey and Lacey Johnston of Inola, Oklahoma. Great-grandchildren: Cooper, Heidi, Houston, Sawyer and Mia Willhite of Muskogee, Oklahoma; Adelyn and Emorie Thompson of Owasso, Oklahoma. Stepchildren: Gerri Sue Fish of Clarksville, Georgia and Jeff Smith of Greenville, South Carolina. He is also survived by many nieces and nephews.

Dewayne began his life on Welch Prairie and will have his final resting place at Welch Prairie.