Gary and Betsy (Spear) Johnson, of Bandon, celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary Oct. 29.

Gary was a North Bend boy, the son of Melvin and Ruth Johnson. Betsy was a Coos Bay girl, the daughter of Charlie and Elizabeth Spear.

Growing up, they knew of each other, but they really didn’t meet until they were both in college.  Gary was attending Stanford University. One summer he took classes at The University of Oregon.  This is where they met and fell in love. They were married at St. Monica Catholic Church in Coos Bay on October 29, 1959. Shortly after, they began their globe trotting adventure courtesy of the U.S. Navy.  Gary was a naval security group officer trained to spy on the Russians and Betsy became an expert in packing and un-packing. The family grew along the way. Son Eric was born in California, and daughters Erin in Naples, Italy, Susan in Ankara, Turkey, and Lisen in London, England. Gary and Betsy enjoyed and learned about each country and culture where they traveled and they even learned to speak Italian.  After retiring from the Navy in Honolulu, Gary and Betsy returned to Oregon and lived in the beautiful wine country of Dundee for more than 20 years. Gary recently retired from the Oregon State Police headquarters in Salem, and they have finally returned to living on their beloved Oregon Coast.  They built a wonderful home in Bandon on oceanfront property Betsy’s father had purchased in the 1950s.  They cherish time spent with family, especially their six grandchildren and waiting to see if the sunset will produce a green flash.

The couple has three children and six grandchildren.