Travis “Cougar” Johnson

He was born Terry L. Johnson on July 13, 1941 to Arcelia Waid and Carl Johnson. He spent his childhood in Frewsburg, NY where his boyhood antics would later be captured in his autobiography, 140 Ivory. He was also a signalman in the US Navy, where he served on the destroyer escort, the USS John R. Perry, and participated in the US’s response to the Cuban Missile Crisis. Upon leaving the Navy, Travis spent time in Tucson, AZ before returning to Frewsburg, where he would raise his five sons and marry the love of his life, Misty Dawn.

Travis was active in the Eastern Primitive Rendezvous and living history reenactments. He was also passionate about art and experimented with many genres and themes, including historical portraits, gnomes, steampunk, and assemblages, and would later become the owner of “Cougar Gallery”. Over the course of 39 years, he painted Martin Gage’s “Happy Face Barn” in Frewsburg and was recognized by the Carroll Historical Society in 2021 for his contributions to the town through art.

He is preceded in death by his wife, Misty Dawn Johnson, two sons, Scott and Steve Johnson, and a brother, Dennis Johnson.

He is survived by three sons, Matthew and Bart Johnson of Jamestown, NY, and Caleb Johnson of Vienna, Austria.

Travis’s family would like to thank all of his friends for keeping his spirits up over the past few years, particularly the nursing team at Davita Dialysis, his friends at Burger Night at the Frewsburg American Legion and Men’s Breakfast at the Eatery, and the congregation of the Rock Church in Lakewood, NY.

A funeral service will be held at 11 am on Saturday, June 3, 2023 at Peterson Funeral Home in Frewsburg.

Friends will be received for one hour prior to the service in the funeral home.

A memorial art show celebrating his painting and life will also be held this summer at the Frewsburg American Legion. Further details about the art show will be announced at a later date.

Words of condolence may be made for Travis’s family by visiting www.petersonfh.net.