Kenneth Dean Johnson, a 77-year-old Independence resident, died on Monday, Oct. 22, 2012. He was a former resident of Princeton.
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Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. on Thursday, Oct. 25, 2012 at Speaks Suburban Chapel in Independence. Burial with full military honors will be at the Missouri Veterans Cemetery in Higginsville.
A family visitation will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 24, 2012 at the chapel.
Mr. Johnson was born on May 10, 1935 near Harris, the son of Woodrow and Rowena Michael Johnson. 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 and started his own insurance agency which he owned and operated for almost 50 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.
He is survived by his wife of 56 years, Joyce Johnson of the home; a daughter, Dena Reger and her husband, Greg of Princeton; a son, Kent Johnson and his wife, Tammy of Lee’s Summit; a sister, Anne Reno and her husband, Gary of Kearney; a brother, Mike Johnson and his wife, Conchita of Ankeny, IA; a sister-in-law, Judy Johnson of Ankeny; three grandchildren, Mitch Reger and fiancee, Ivy, Wes Reger and his wife, Amanda and Abby Johnson; three step-grandchildren; his special pet, Haley; and several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents and a brother, Woody Johnson.
The family suggests contributions to Saint Luke’s Hospice, 3100 Broadway, Ste. 1000, Kansas City, MO 64111.