Stephen Johnson

STEPHEN GOODWIN JOHNSON ( 1936 -2026 )

Lieutenant Colonel (Ret.) Stephen Goodwin Johnson passed away peacefully on January 20, 2026 at his home after a short illness. He was 89 years old.

LTC (Ret.) Johnson was born on November 16, 1936 in Marshall, Missouri to the Rev. Dr. Percy Leroy and Marcia Louise (Main) Johnson. At the age of nine Steve moved with his family to White Plains, NY, where his father taught histology at New York City University and also served as an Episcopalian priest to surrounding parishes in need of revitalization. Steve graduated from White Plains, NY, High School and Bowdoin College in Brunswick, Maine, with a degree in biology. At Bowdoin, Steve was a member of Delta Sigma fraternity and participated in the Glee Club, Chapel Choir and Music Club.

Upon his graduation from Bowdoin in 1958 Steve was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the Field Artillery. He served in various locations in the Continental United States and Vietnam. After his retirement he was a DA Civilian Cannon Systems Developer for Fort Sill's Department of Combat Developments.

While stationed in Atlanta, GA, Steve met Yvonne Belanger and they married there on May 5, 1973. They moved to Lawton, OK the same year and enjoyed 52 years together before his passing. They enjoyed sharing time between Lawton and their summer residence in Trenton, Maine with their feline companions.

Steve had a life-long enduring love of classical music. He had perfect ear-pitch and knew many scores by heart. He and Yvonne spent years enjoying both live opera and the simulcasts of the Metropolitan Opera. Steve was an accomplished tenor, his vocal talents highlighted by his singing in the chorus for twenty-two years in Lawton's production of Handel's Messiah; he was honored to sing the tenor solo in the Messiah one year. He was also prominent in his church choir for many years.

In addition to classical music Steve loved good food and drink, good friends and good conversation. He had a strong love of learning of history, science, all things mechanical and everything in the animal world.

Steve was a life-long member of Saint Andrew's Episcopal Church, for whom he served as warden, vestry member, lector coordinator and other positions. During his summers at his second home in Trenton, Steve was a faithful member of the Church of Our Father in Hulls Cove, Maine.

Steve is survived by his loving wife Yvonne and his two nieces, Sally Ann Grand and Marcia Louise Pauls Chase. He was pre-deceased by his father, mother and sister, his brother-in-law and an uncle.

Arrangements are pending with Lawton Ritter Gray Funeral Home.

Donations may be offered in Steve's memory to the Lawton Philharmonic Orchestra, 501 SW C Ave, Lawton, OK, 73501 or the Monteux School and Music Festival, 42 Melody Lane, Hancock, ME, 04640.