Kenneth W. (Ken) Johnson, age 94, died peacefully holding his wife’s hand, November 6, 2018 in McKinney, Texas. Ken was born in Granite Falls, Minnesota, on November 21, 1923 to Luella (Bakke) Johnson and Albert V. Johnson. He attended school in Staples, Minnesota and attended college at St. Olaf College in Northfield, Minnesota. After serving in WWII, Ken went on to complete his B.S. in Industrial Engineering at the University of Minnesota. In 1963, Ken received a graduate degree from Harvard University. He interrupted his studies to enlist in the United States Navy during WWII serving as Navigator Executive Officer for his ship, LST 911. Ken attained the rank of 1st Lieutenant and saw action in the Pacific, and was wounded in one battle, nominated for the Purple Heart. He was in Nagasaki, Japan shortly after the start of the American occupation and saw first-hand the horrors of war. Ken was especially proud of his navigational prowess, having successfully guided the LST 911 to arrive in San Francisco by dead reckoning when it became separated from the rest of its convoy. Ken’s LST 911 arrived well ahead of the rest of the convoy, which likely was a cause for some bragging rights. He was a natural gifted athlete, and in college, became a basketball star and an excellent golfer for most of his life. Ken was married in 1950 to Christine G.L. (Nelson) Johnson, and they had a very happy life together for 68 years. They lived in Minneapolis, Minnesota until they moved to Fort Smith, Arkansas in 1966. Ken had started his career with Whirlpool Corporation in Minneapolis and transferred to Fort Smith, Arkansas to open a new plant for Whirlpool in 1966. Interestingly, Ken never lost his Minnesota accent, in spite of living in the South for over 52 years. He was an active member of St. Luke Lutheran Church in Fort Smith from 1966 on. Ken served in almost every conceivable Lay leadership position in the church. He and his wife, Christrine had four children, Susan, Sheryl, Mark and Sally. They both enjoyed their summer cabin, Sun Ridge, near Cripple Creek in Colorado, spending time hiking and enjoying the outdoors and local history. Ken was an especially avid photographer, collector and student of Cripple Creek, Colorado history, and natural beauty. Ken and Chris loved to camp and hike, one of their memorable experiences was hiking down the North Rim of the Grand Canyon when they were in their 60’s!
Ken is survived by his wife, Christine Johnson; daughter, Sue Frampton and husband, George H. Frampton of Clive, Iowa; daughter, Sheryl Stubblefield Dolan and husband, J.D. Dolan of Fairhope, Alabama; son, Mark Johnson and wife, Robin Johnson of McKinney, Texas; daughter, Sally Tarvin and husband, Mark Tarvin of Clemmons, North Carolina; grandchildren, Cathy Frampton Schulze, George A. Frampton, Bryce Stubblefield, Ellyn Johnson Chatterton, Samantha Johnson Wright, Blake Tarvin, Hunter Tarvin, and Grant Tarvin , as well as great grandchildren Hans R. Schulze, Gabriel K. Schulze, George W. (Will) Frampton, Charlie H. Frampton, Sam R. Frampton, Thomas G. Kimm, Owen K. Frampton, Kaleb Wright and Konan Wright, and two more great grandchildren are “on the way”.
Ken’s brother, Douglas Johnson preceded him in death.
The family wishes to thank the staff at Harbor Chase of McKinney, and Pro Vista Hospice, who provided thoughtful and loving care.
A private burial service, for family only, will be held at 1:00 p.m., Monday, November 12, 2018 at Dallas Fort Worth National Cemetery, 2000 Mountain Creek Parkway, Dallas, Texas. The family will receive friends during a visitation on Sunday, November 11, 2018 from 6:00-8:00 p.m. at Turrentine-Jackson-Morrow Funeral Home Chapel, 2525 Central Expressway North, Allen, Texas.
Memorials may be made to the St. Luke Lutheran Church, 5401 Free Ferry Road, Fort Smith, Arkansas 72903, in Kenneth W. Johnson’s honor at https://stlukelutheranfs.org/.