Loren "Gene" E. Johnson, 80, of Spearfish, passed away on Monday, May 16, 2011 at the Belle Fourche Healthcare.

Memorial services will be announced at a later date.

Loren was born on July 31, 1930 to Asa and Nellie (Kellsy) Johnson in Rapid City, SD. He graduated from Rapid City High School in 1948. He enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1950 and was honorably discharged in 1953. He hired out on the C & NW Railroad as an engineer and retired in 1989. In 1954 he meet Jessie Hayes in Rapid City and they were married in 1955. To this union three children were born: Loren, Kathy and Doug. Upon retiring from the railroad he became a blackjack dealer for a year in Deadwood.

Loren was an active member of the Spearfish Senior Center, a charter member of the Moose, Spearfish R.S.V.P, and Life Member of the V.F.W. Post 5860, life time member of Brotherhood of Locomotive Fireman and Engineers and a member of the VFW Honor Guard.

Loren is survived by his loving wife of 56 years, Jessie, of Spearfish, sons, Loren Johnson of Corvallis, OR and Doug Johnson of Eagan, MN; daughter Kathy Wells of Encinal, TX; 5 grandchildren; 1 great-grandchild and brother Joel Johnson. He was preceded in death by his parents and sister Delores Welch.