Kenneth George “Kenny” “Heavy” Johnson, age 60, died May 21, 2012 at Southwest Medical Center in Liberal, KS after a courageous battle with cancer. He was born May 4, 1952 in Tazwell , VA the son of Lloyd F. and Katherine (Rukvina) Johnson.
He graduated from Liberal High School , Liberal, KS in 1970.
He was general contractor for Johnson Construction. He had owned Heavy’s Sports Bar for 16 years.
He was a member or the Liberal Country Club and Liberal Elks Lodge #1947 where had held many of the officer chairs.
On December 11, 1970, he married Ranita J. Madden in Liberal, KS. She survives.
Other survivors include
2 Daughters Jennifer Stull and husband Norman Bushland , TX
Jacque Johnson and partner Carla Whitlow Amarillo, TX
1 Brother James Johnson Liberal, KS
3 Sisters Katherine Burdge and husband Tom Liberal, KS
Debbie Harvey Salina , KS
Ginny Gilmore and husband Randy Liberal, KS
6 Grandchildren: Madison , Makenna, Slade Stull, Cheyenne Whitlow, Beau Stull and Shelby Espinosa.
1 Brother-in-law Rick Madden and wife Connie Liberal, KS
2 Sisters-in-law Cindy Freshour and husband Dewayne Midland , TX
Ruth McBryde and husband Bill Liberal, KS
He was preceded in death by his parents, a Brother Floyd Johnson, Jr., a Sister Lucille Neese and his Father and Mother-in-law Bob and Peggy Madden.
Kenny enjoyed life to its fullest. He has played golf on some of the nicest courses in the U.S. along with longtime friend Terry Riney. He was an avid KU fan, something else Terry was responsible for. After his golf game got so bad he bought a Harley. He wanted to ride all of the time. Going to Sturgis was a trip he and his wife took every year for 11 years. Many friends were made and with that many more memories. Fun was had by all where ever he went.
The thing Kenny was most proud of was his grandchildren. They were the light of his life. Known as Papa, the girls had him wrapped around their little fingers and Slade had his whole hand. I think he will miss them the most, as well, he should.
The Lord giveth and the Lord taketh away, but only the good ones are taken so young. Kenny knew the Lord in his own special way and I know the good Lord has something really big waiting for him to do when he gets to heaven.
Funeral service will be 10:00 a.m. Friday, May 25, 2012 at Fellowship Baptist Church with Bro. Tyler Prater presiding. Burial will be in Liberal Cemetery .
Visitation will be 1:00 – 8:00 pm Wednesday and 9:00 am -8:00 pm Thursday with the family present to greet friends from 6:00-8:00 pm Thursday at Brenneman Funeral Home.
Memorial contributions may be sent to the National Jewish Research Center in care of the Brenneman Funeral Home 1212 W. 2nd Liberal , KS 67901 .
Condolences may be sent to the family at www.brennemanfuneralhome.com
