Kenneth L. Johnson
1943-2021
Ken was born in McCook, Nebraska on October 16, 1943 to George and Ruth (Anderson) Johnson. He attended both Bethany Nazarene College and Central State University. On June 19, 1965 he married Linda McDaniel. They raised two sons, Steven and David, and one daughter, Amy in Edmond, Oklahoma. Ken was preceded in death by his parents George and Ruth Johnson. He is survived by his loving wife, Linda and his children: Steve (wife Kara), children (Abbagael and Zack); David (wife Lisa), children (Audrey and Ava); Amy (husband Joe), children (Sam and Ella), and siblings Don, Shirley, Colleen, Diane, Allen and their spouses as well as a whole host of other incredibly meaningful family. He also leaves behind so many beloved church friends and his newly adopted family at Mercy hospital.
Ken was a passionate man who loved many things. He loved singing, telling stores, eating, walking (especially going to see his friends at Target), coffee, collecting guns, shooting, and hunting. He loved all kinds of music especially blue grass, gospel quartets, and steel guitar. He loved electronics, mechanical and technological gadgets of all kinds; cars, computers, airplanes, tractors, steam engines and his curious and inquisitive mind wanted to know how each one of them worked. He had a deep and abiding love for his family and enjoyed journaling all our memories and was meticulous in recording of family events and gatherings of family history. He was extremely patriotic, served his country as a member of the Army and believed in freedom and democracy. He loved to vacation with family, especially spending time with them in the mountains of Colorado and Branson, Missouri. But most of all, Ken loved his church and his Lord. He served at Waterloo Church of the Nazarene for 30 years as the music leader, taught Sunday school for over 50 years, and loved to share his faith with Jesus with anyone who would listen and lead many to the Lord through his work and his hobbies. Every meeting, professionally or personally, was an opportunity to share his deep faith.
His family has described him as: loving, compassionate, charismatic, strong, disciplined, sentimental, knowledgeable, steady, gentle, passionate, thoughtful, embracing, and wise. He was a mentor and an example to all who met him. His last words to his grandkids were, "Read your bible and live for Jesus."
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions be made to the Waterloo Church of the Nazarene.
Visitation will be held at Waterloo Church of the Nazarene on Wednesday, January 13, 2021 from 1-2pm, followed by funeral services at 2pm. We will be live streaming this service in an effort to accommodate those people that wish to attend but feel they should not due to health regulations. To watch the service click the link https://www.facebook.com/WaterloochurchoftheNazarene/