Gerald E. "Gene" Johnson, 84, 1921 Chase Street, a lifelong resident of Wisconsin Rapids, died Saturday, November 24, 2012 at the Odyssey Hospice House, Palm Springs, CA.

He was employed at the Biron Division of Consolidated papers, working 43 years in the quality control department until his retirement in 1990. Drafted into the army in November of 1950, he served 11 months as a combat mortar man in Korea.

A founding member of the Numismatists of Wisconsin in 1960, he served in all the elective offices of that organization, and edited their quarterly news magazine for over fifteen years.

A nationally known historian and numismatic writer, in 1967 he published the first state trade token book, "Trade Tokens of Wisconsin," a pioneer cataloging effort that led to listings that now encompass token catalogs from thirty two states nationally. Frequently honored for his writings, Johnson received the Fare Box Literary award in 1966 and 1977, the Seigel Literary Award in 1979, the Numismatic Ambassador Award in 1980, and in 1995, was honored by the Literary Guild for the best numismatic article published in the United States.

Clifford Mishler writes:

Jeff Reichenberger adds:

To read the complete obituary, see:Gerald Johnson (1928 - 2012)(www.legacy.com/obituaries/wisconsinrapidstribune/obituary.aspx?n=gerald-johnson&pid=161490338)