John E Johnson

John E. Johnson was born to Ralph O. and Zelma E. (Truitt) Johnson, on November 21, 1932, on the farm in Sinclair Township, rural Formoso, Kansas, and died, Monday, August 20, 2012, at his home near Formoso, at the age of 79 years, and 9 months.

John was a graduate of Courtland High School and attended one year at the University of Kansas, on a track scholarship before being drafted into the United States Army. He was stationed at Fort Riley, Kansas, from 1953 until being discharged in 1955.

In 1954, John’s sister came home from college with a friend, Patricia Shaw. John later married Patricia Carol on August 17, 1958, at Lawrence, Kansas. They started their life together living in Wichita, Kansas, and John worked for a landscape company. In 1961, John, Pat and son, Brad, moved back to the Formoso Community and he returned to farming with his father. John and Ralph farmed and raised Angus and Hereford cross cattle, together, until 1983, when Ralph retired. John continued farming before retired from farming before this planting season. He maintained his interest in farming and livestock, as he made his rounds checking on the neighborhood.

John enjoyed people, and would stop at cafés, to listen and charm friends with his humor and instincts about what farming practices is the best to use this year. He was very mechanical minded and enjoyed helping people, even those who found themselves stuck in the Jewell County mud.

To his kids, he was always at school activities, and trusted Brad and Tamara to do the right thing. However if you had a question or a challenge, he was there to listen when he was needed. John was the best father and dad, and was the best big brother to his siblings.

His favorite things in life were family, cattle, teaching kids to drive at an early age, KU basketball and in earlier years, KU track and field. He enjoyed hunting, wildlife, and watching the thunderstorms roll into Jewell County.

John was preceded in death by his parents; and sister, Pauline Sothers. His is survived by his loving family, his wife of 54 years, Patricia “Pat” of the home; son, John Bradley and wife, Jan Johnson of Centennial, Colorado and their children: Mathew and Katie; daughter, Tamara Jean “Tammy” and husband, George Lawhorn of Lakewood, Colorado, and their children: Melissa, Nick, and Cody; brother, Wayne and wife Virginia Johnson of Englewood, Colorado; sister, Clara Ann and husband, Fred Horne of Corvallis, Oregon; brother-in-law, Gerald Sothers of Courtland, Kansas; and a host of other relatives and friends.

A memorial celebration of life service for John E. Johnson, will be held, Saturday, August 25, 2012, at 10:30 a.m., at the Balch Cemetery, Formoso, Kansas, with Pastor Gene Little officiating. Inurnment followed the service at the cemetery. Friends may sign the register book Friday, August 24, 2012, at the Melby Mortuary Chapel, Mankato, Kansas, from 9:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. Memorials for John may be made to donor’s charity of choice or the family will donate to charities at a later date.

In the last few weeks, John’s humor was still working. He wanted the hospice nurses to have a laugh before they left the house.