Johnson was Big Ten Champion and 2-time All-American at
115 lbs.
Haslett, Mich., 0714/10 - Okla Warren Johnson, age 69, of Haslett, died
on July 8, 2010.
Okla was born in Pueblo, Colorado, to Okla Wayne Johnson and Charlotte
Louise Johnson (Mulkey), in 1941. He was preceded in death by his father
and mother. He is survived by four children, Travis (Lisa) Johnson,
Marlo (Thomas) Heniser, Shawna (Mike) Haid, and Kristen (Stephen) Leeman;
nine grandchildren, A.J., Kate, Chayse, Cody, Taylor, Cayden, Maddie,
Keagen and Gabriella; and his ex-wife, Jan (LeVeque) Davenport (John).
Kendra Weaver, whom he called his "adopted" daughter, was also there by
his side and was a wonderful friend to all of us through this difficult
time.
He received his Masters' degree in Physical Education from Michigan
State University. He was a physical education teacher and a wrestling
coach in Saginaw, Grand Ledge, DeWitt and Okemos, Michigan, as well as
several high schools in Colorado.
He was the first four time state champion in the nation in wrestling. He
wrestled for Granby High School in Norfolk, Virginia. He was a Big Ten
Wrestling Champion in 1961 at Michigan State University and NCAA
All-American in 1962 and 1963 at 115 lbs. He was also an alternate
for the 1964 Olympic Wrestling Team.
His family would like to thank the staff at Dimondale Nursing Home and
Ingham Regional Medical Center for their expert and kind care of their
father, especially Terry, who spent a lot of hours talking about
wrestling with him.
A memorial service will be held on Friday, July 16, 11:00 a.m. at St.
Thomas Aquinas Church in East Lansing, with lunch/visitation following
the service. In lieu of flowers, the family has requested that donations
be made toward his funeral costs. A memorial fund has been set up at
Citizens Bank for Okla W. Johnson.
