Wilbur D. “Deke” Johnson of Stillwater, OK passed away on July 29, 2026, at the age of 91.

Deke was born to the late Milford and Mariam Johnson on October 8, 1934 in Durango, CO. The family later moved to Espanola, NM where he graduated from high school. He earned a BS degree at Rocky Mountain College in Billings, MT, where he met the love of his life, Marita C. Miller. They were wed in Seattle, WA on March 25, 1959. After Deke completed his army military service, they moved to Missoula, MT. Deke earned his master's degree at the University of Montana and taught school for 11 years in Missoula before attending Western Michigan University for his doctorate degree. The family returned to Missoula where he taught one additional year before moving to Stillwater, OK, in 1974 where he served as a professor and director of Community Education at Oklahoma State University for 30 years.

As a true educator, Deke had a lifelong passion for learning and teaching. He loved his students and was committed to making education accessible to people from all walks of life. In addition to teaching, he represented OSU internationally in a number of countries. Deke was also a passionate outdoorsman, avid Thunder and OSU men's and women's sports fan, and a dedicated lifelong member of Toastmasters. His faith was very important to him, and he was an active member of the First United Methodist Church for over 51 years, where he thoroughly enjoyed singing in the choir. In his free time he enjoyed gardening, birdwatching, traveling, playing cards with friends, socializing, but most of all engaging with people. Deke loved people. He had a way of making each person he interacted with feel encouraged, valued, and important. He made the world a better place.

He is survived by his son Bryan, daughter-in-law Sandy; granddaughters, Jessica (Timothy), Elizabeth, and Sarah (Noel); son Todd and son-in-law Patrick.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Milford and Mariam Johnson, his brothers Melvin Johnson and Martin Johnson and his wife of 62 years, Marita Johnson.

The family wishes to extend their deepest gratitude to the staff at Stillwater Medical Center for their passionate care,and the wonderful friends and fellow members of the First United Methodist Church who selflessly provided support and transportation so he could still actively participate in the choir and attend men’s group and church services. He often said later in life, “there are angels everywhere, if you take the time to look”, so thank you to all the unnamed angels in Stillwater who took the time to talk and joke with him, hold a door for him , or anonymously buy him dinner.

A very special heartfelt thank you to Beth Sewell, who provided dedicated loving care and support to Deke in his final years, ensuring he had the best quality of life possible.

A celebration of life will be held on August 28, 2026 at 11:00am at the First United Methodist Church located at 400 W. 7th Stillwater, OK 74704.