Paul Edward Johnson was born on April 24‚ 1947‚ in Wayne‚ West Virginia‚ to Walker and Goldie Brooks Johnson. Paul was the fourth of ten children born into this Catholic family. Paul had eight sisters and one brother‚ who passed away from meningitis when he was eight years old.

After high school‚ Paul joined the Army‚ and was stationed in Germany for two years. After his discharge‚ Paul moved to Oklahoma City‚ where his sister and brother-in-law lived. He went to chef’s school in St. Louis‚ Missouri‚ and then worked at a local restaurant in Oklahoma City for a couple of years. He later worked as a mechanic at Shar-Main Garage in Oklahoma City. Paul was a very skilled and knowledgeable person and could fix just about anything. He started a roofing and repair business in the 1970s and continued in this field until his death.

Paul married Carolyn S. Smith Fox on July 13‚ 1971‚ and raised her seven-year-old daughter as his own. Paul and Carolyn lived in Edmond‚ Oklahoma‚ until 1988‚ when they purchased a home on Fort Cobb Lake and then moved to Fort Cobb‚ Oklahoma‚ with their two grandsons. He continued with his roofing business and joined the Crow Roost Volunteer Fire Department in 1990. Paul was the assistant chief for several years and became chief when the previous chief retired.

Paul was a good and honorable man who would do just about anything for anybody. Neighbors were always coming to him for advice. Paul loved to hunt and fish‚ and loved to take his grandsons and great-grandchildren to make his rounds. And‚ he loved being a fireman.

Paul is survived by his spouse‚ Carolyn Johnson of the home; his daughter‚ Lori S. Smithpeter of Clinton‚ Oklahoma; his grandchildren‚ Joshua A. Merrell of Binger‚ Oklahoma‚ Daniel S. Merrell and Olethea R. Merrell of Moore‚ Oklahoma‚ and Amanda K. Merrell of Grand Lake‚ Oklahoma. Paul is also survived by six great-grandchildren– Anastasia‚ Joshua‚ Nathan‚ Isiaac‚ Jordan‚ and Hailey; his sister-in-law‚ Joyce Greene of Oklahoma City; his brother-in-law and sister-in-law‚ Jack and Joyce Smith of Anadarko‚ Oklahoma; his sister-in-law‚ Patricia Smith of Fort Cobb‚ Oklahoma; his brother-in-law‚ and sister-in-law‚ Paul and Betty Tidwell of Binger‚ Oklahoma; his sister-in-law‚ Linda Smith of Oklahoma City; and his brother-in-law and sister-in-law‚ Steve and Biddie Smith of Newcastle‚ Oklahoma; as well as several nieces and nephews.