JOHNNIE R. BETSON

JOHNNIE R. BETSON 1928 – 2011

Johnnie Richard Betson, Jr. was born in Fort Worth Texas on December 6, 1928 and was raised by his loving parents Johnnie Richard Sr. and Prebble Carey.
Johnnie joined the Marines the day after graduating from high school. Once discharged he graduated from the University of Oklahoma, School of Medicine and completed his residency at Charity Hospital in New Orleans, LA.
While interning at Milwaukee County General Hospital, Dr. Betson met and married Joan Sue Schroeder. During their 23 years of marriage they had three children, Kevin Carey, Pamela Sue and Lance Hall.
Before establishing a successful Ob/Gyn practice in Newport Beach, which spanned over 40 years, Dr. Betson worked at the Lovelace Clinic in Albuquerque, NM working with the first female astronaut program. He was regarded by his peers and patients as an extraordinary physician who loved his work.
In 1980, John married Karen Seger and together they raised her son Brandon James Seger. They primarily lived in Big Canyon and October 21 would have been their 31st anniversary.
His passions were playing golf, flying his Aero Commander, and bird hunting in Mexico. He loved to travel across the globe, particularly to Europe and Hawaii. Johnnie eagerly anticipated each new college football season. He watched nearly every game of his beloved Oklahoma Sooners.
John was a man who truly loved his family and was a genuine friend to many. He is also survived by Pam’s husband, Robert W. Barnett, and Lance’s wife Terry (Sindelar) Betson and their two children, Hayden Hall and Riley Lynn. Johnnie passed away peacefully at his home on Saturday, October 8.
A celebration of his life took place at Big Canyon Country Club on October 23th. In lieu of flowers the family requests donations be made to Segerstrom Center for the Performing Arts Memorial Fund, 500 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa, CA 92626 or the Oklahoma University Foundation, College of Medicine - Donations can be mailed to Alumni and Development. PO Box 26901 Lib. 162, OKC, OK. 73126-0901.