Kenneth Johnson

Kenneth Dean Johnson, 77, Independence, MO, formerly of Princeton, MO, passed away Oct. 22, 2012. Services will be 10 am, Thursday, Oct. 25 at Speaks Suburban Chapel. 18020 E. 39th St., Independence, MO 64055; interment with Full Military Honors at the Missouri Veterans Cemetery, in Higginsville, MO. Visitation will be 6-8 pm, Wed. at the chapel. The family suggests contributions to St. Luke’s Hospice, 3100 Broadway, Ste. 1000, Kansas City, MO 64111.
Ken was born May 10, 1935 to Woodrow and Rowena (Michael) Johnson near Harris, MO. He grew up in Mercer County and graduated from Princeton High School in 1953. He worked for General Motors and then Hy Vee before joining the U.S. Army where he served as a radio teletype team chief in Germany. After his discharge, he moved to the farm in Modena, MO and started his own insurance agency which he owned and operated for almost fifty years. He served on the board of the North Missouri Mutual Insurance Company and was later named chairman of the Board and CEO of the company. He was a member of the Modena Baptist Church and later Country Meadows Baptist Church in Independence. He retired and moved to Independence in 2000. He was an active member of the Rotary Club and served as District Governor from 1994-95. He was a member of American Legion Post #21 and VFW Post #1738 where he was a member of the Honor Guard.
Ken was preceded in death by his parents and brother Woody Johnson. He is survived by his wife of fifty-six years Joyce Johnson, of the home; daughter Dena Reger and husband Greg, Princeton, MO; son Kent Johnson and wife Tammy, Lee’s Summit, MO; sister Anne Reno and husband Gary, Kearney, MO; brother Mike Johnson and wife Conchita; sister-in-law Judy Johnson, all of Ankeny, IA; grandchildren Mitch Reger and fiancé Ivy; Wes Reger and wife Amanda; Abby Johnson; three step-grandchildren; his special pet Haley; and several nieces and nephews.