Spiro Alumni Association posthumously recognize late former chairman Johnson

Since 1967, the Spiro Alumni Association reunions have been dedicated to various individuals in appreciation for their contribution to the school or community. This year’s reunion took place July 2 in the school’s cafeteria and dedicated posthumously to Spiro native Joe A. Johnson. He passed away on June 7 at the age of 91.

Keith Craig from the class of 1990 served as master of ceremonies for the event,

Ann Mead of Purcell and Joe David Johnson, Seattle, twin children of Joe Johnson, attended the reunion, representing the Johnson family. John Redwine II gave a brief history of Joe’s life and accomplishments, followed by the presentation of a proclamation from Spiro Mayor Doug Harper declaring July 2, 2022, as “Joe Johnson Day” in Spiro. Redwine also presented the Johnson family with a “Memoriam of Joe Arley Johnson” from the Oklahoma State Senate signed by Sen. Mark Allen and Rep. Rick West, honoring the life of Joe.

Joe Johnson was born and raised in Spiro, attending school there all 12-years. He grew up in the newspaper business as his parents, O.A. and Sylvia Johnson, published The Spiro Times for 25 years. Between Joe’s junior and senior year, his parents sold the Spiro newspaper and bought The Heavener Ledger. Joe commuted back and forth between Heavener and Spiro, telling his parents he wanted to graduate at Spiro to be with friends. Almost immediately, it was realized his justification for remaining at Spiro his last year of high school was because of a young lady that was a junior that year. Her name was Martha Ellen Gentry.

Despite being madly in love with his high-school sweetheart, Joe started college immediately after graduation, working for a daily newspaper in Norman. A year after Martha’s graduation from high school, the couple married, making Norman their home for the next two years.

Joe graduated from the University of Oklahoma with a degree in journalism in 1951. It was a busy year for the newlyweds.

They moved to Heavener and surprisingly, his wife gave birth to twins, Joe David and Ann. Then, two weeks later, Joe became a partner in The Heavener Ledger with his older brother Jack. Shortly after that, Jack was called to active military duty during the Korean War, leaving Joe to serve as editor and run the paper. The couple had three additional children, George, Lee and Bill.

After the Johnson’s sold The Spiro Times, the paper went through three owners in six years and eventually merged with The Poteau News and Sun in the 1950s. In 1962, Joe assisted a young Spiro man in starting a newspaper in his hometown of Spiro. The first issue of The Spiro Graphic rolled off the press Nov. 1, 1962. The Spiro Graphic continued printing at The Heavener Ledger through the mid 1960s. The Spiro Graphic will celebrate its 60th birthday later this year, thanks to Joe Johnson’s assistance in launching the publication.

In 1963, Joe Johnson led the way for the formation of the Spiro Alumni Association. Joe called together seven Spiro graduates to discuss forming the Spiro Alumni Association. The group of former students ranged from the classes of 1926 to 1962. Joe was elected as chairman of the association.

Redwine also told of Johnson’s 14 years of service in the Oklahoma legislature as a Representative for six years and then a Senator for eight years, mentioning his assistance in securing highway improvements for the northern part of LeFlore County.

After his political career, he volunteered at the Oklahoma Department of Corrections guiding inmates by leading a class called New Directions. He instructed and encouraged hundreds of inmates in their transition from prison life to becoming productive citizens.