Lt. Colonel Kenneth Johnson

Lt. Colonel Kenneth Oswell Johnson “Ken” (1934-2022) passed away peacefully on December 8, 2022, in Tyler, Texas. Ken was born to Lillie Mabel Velma Carter “Babe” and Luther Camel Johnson, Sr. “Dick” on February 15, 1934, in Cleburne, Texas. He grew up in a large family on a farm in Cleburne and cherished his family above all else.

Ken valued education and received his undergraduate degree in Agriculture from Texas Tech University, where he also joined the ROTC. Upon graduation he began his career with the United States Airforce, attending flight training and completing his master’s degree in Aerospace Operations Management at USC. He served his country flying in Vietnam with tours in Southeast Asia and was stationed in Hawaii, Germany, California, and New Mexico with his wife and three daughters before retiring from the military. He logged most of his hours as a pilot in the Douglas C-124 Globemaster flying cargo and dignitaries. He had a love of travel, which the military afforded him, but once retired he returned home to his beloved Texas, family, and his agricultural training, purchasing a cattle ranch in Lindale, Texas where he raised his son.

After having been away from his family for many years, Ken was eager to introduce his children to their Texas family so that they could foster a relationship with their grandparents, aunts and uncles and multiple cousins. Many happy memories were made in their summer visits to Cleburne, learning to enjoy the country life, everything from snipe hunting, water skiing and fishing to hair raising horseback rides on “George Horse”!

Ken lived a full, rich life and adored his children and grandchildren, his numerous lifelong military friends, and his extended family. He had a passion for flying, ranching in the Texas countryside, skiing, dominoes, and was a voracious reader. He was preceded in death by his daughter Carey Johnson and is survived by his son Joshua Johnson (Nikki Johnson) his daughters Angie Smith (Michael Smith) and Gillian Brandt (Daniel Brandt) and granddaughters Quincey and Elliott Smith and grandsons Finnegan and Dashiell Brandt.

Graveside service for Ken will be conducted at 2:00 P.M., Saturday, December 17, 2022 in Hopewell Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers please consider a donation in his memory to:

Camp V
Community Assisting Military Personnel and Veterans
3212 W Front St
Tyler, Tx 75702-0392 US
903-566-1010
Camp V | A Veteran's Answer for Connections, Services and Hope. (campvtyler.org)