JOHNSON, Kenneth Dale - b. April 30, 1928 - d. November 10, 2017

[patyrn]

Kenneth Dale Johnson, age 89, of Severy, Kansas, passed away at his home on November 10, 2017.  He was born on April 30, 1928 to Eva Andevine Harris and Chalmer Claud Johnson in Reading, Kansas.  He married Nellie Elizabeth Watts on February 27, 1953 in El Dorado, Kansas, and they started their home west of Augusta, Kansas, first in an old white farmhouse and later in a chicken house that was converted into an apartment.  To this marriage was born eight children.

Kenneth was reared by his Grandpa and Grandma Harris and went to Bible School until 7th grade in Gravette, Arkansas.  He joined the United States Navy on March 30, 1948 and was honorably discharged on March 10, 1952, having served most of his tour on the water.  He also served during the Korean Conflict.  Medals received include the Korean medal with three stars, Good Conduct, Japanese Occupation medal, United Nations medal, and a Purple Heart. 

Kenneth worked many jobs throughout his life including Camp Crowder Chicken plant, a sheep farm in Colorado at the ages of 13/14., Beechcraft, RK Price painting road construction in Butler County, Kansas, the railroad, an Air Force base, and a mental hospital in Anchorage, Alaska.  He also owned El Cajon Paint and Glass Company with his brother, Wayne.  Moving from the busy life in California in 1971 to the farm, Kenneth had started his own business in 1954, Johnson's Painting and Drywall from which he retired.  He also farmed and raised cattle and worked the oil fields with his three brothers-in-law, Bert, Walter, and Ken Watts.

Kenneth is survived by his wife, Nellie and son, Delane Johnson of the home; daughters, Dale McDaniel and husband, Wayne of Willow Springs, Missouri, Becky Shepherd of Eureka, Kansas, Doreen Rogers and husband, George of Dumas, Texas, and Debra Greer and husband, Scott of Elk City, Kansas;  sons, Doyle Johnson and wife, Delores of Haysville, Kansas, Lynn Johnson and wife, Christy of Severy, Kansas, and Kendall Johnson and wife, Melissa of Howard, Kansas; half-brothers and sisters, Ronald "Guy" Sherman of California, Wayne "Pete" Sherman of Texas, Jackie Johnson of Arkansas, Howard Johnson of Michigan, and Mary Anderson, Sue Boland, and Judy Lamphear, all of Oklahoma; 26 grandchildren; 13 step-grandchildren; 36 great-grandchildren; 22 step-great-grandchildren; 1 great-great-grandchildren; and 3 step-great-great-grandchildren.  He was preceded in death by his parents, Eva (Harris) Sherman and Chalmer Johnson; his stepfather, Tyree Wilfred Sherman; his stepmother, Eva (Havener) Johnson; three brothers, Virgil Johnson, Wayne Johnson, and Dean Johnson; son-in-law, Mike Shepherd; granddaughter, Joy Johnson; nephews, Johnny Sherman, Terry Joe Sherman, and Terry Johnson; and step-grandson, Zachery Bershir.

Visitation will be held on Friday, November 17, 2017 at Countryside Funeral Home in Howard, Kansas from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.  Funeral service will be held on Saturday, November 18, 2017 at 2:00 p.m., also at Countryside Funeral Home in Howard with Pastor Terry Marta officiating. Online condolences may be left for the family at www.countrysidefh.com.  Burial will take place at Cresco Cemetery on Highway 99, north of Howard, Kansas.  Services have been entrusted to Countryside Funeral Home, 206 E. Washington, Howard, Kansas 67349.

(taken from the Countryside Funeral Home website)