And the Lord said: come with me my son, where there is no more pain and suffering. Dr. Fred Wilbur Johnson, 79, passed away on January 27, 2012 at St. Johns Mercy Villa, in Springfield, Mo. He fought an arduous battle with cancer and dementia. Fred was born on January 6, 1933 to Clyde and Opal (Cottle) Johnson and grew up on the family farm near Edna, Ks. In 1950, Fred graduated from Labette County High School in Altamont, Ks. He worked as a railroad telegraph operator before attending Palmer College of Chiropractic in Davenport, IA. After graduating in 1956, Fred moved his growing family to Pittsburg, Ks, where he practiced chiropractic medicine for the next forty years. Upon retirement, he moved to Springfield, Mo, enjoying new challenges working at Sears in the Craftsman tools area, and later at Strategic as a fundraiser before retiring in 2009. A man of many talents, Fred was a skilled woodworker and an excellent gardener. He loved music. As a teenager Fred once traded a cow for a piano! Over the years he enjoyed playing the harmonica, banjo, guitar, piano and organ. In addition to spending time with his family, he was active in the community as a 32nd Degree Scottish Rite Mason, a member of the Mirza Temple Shrine in Pittsburg, and a volunteer with the Boy Scouts of America. Fred was saved and baptized in the early 1950s, and most recently a member of the Second Baptist Church. Fred is survived by his wife of 25 years Hildegard "Cindy" R. Johnson of Springfield, sons Fred "Butch" W. Johnson Jr. (Susan) of Oswego, Ks; Phillip W. Johnson of Oviedo, Fl; Lance A. Johnson (Mary) Pittsburg, Ks; William (Mary) Johnson of Riverton; and Christopher D. Johnson of Joplin, Mo. grandsons Brian, Mark, Jeff, and Shawn Johnson; sister Eileta Creekpaum (Eddie) of Tulsa, OK, their son Jon Kyden Creekpaum (LaShawn) of Paris, France, stepchildren, Paul D. Miller of Kansas City and Melinda M. (Miller) Trusty (Tarrence) of Wabash, In; step-grandchildren Kourtney B. Miller, Ariston, and Sophie A. Trusty; Ashlee Kolb; and step-great-granddaughter, Ariana. Fred was preceded in death by parents, Clyde & Opal Johnson; baby brother Ray Dean Johnson; and former wife Betty. A celebration of Fred's life will be held on Thursday, February 2, 2012 at 11 AM at the Second Baptist Church, 3111 E. Battlefield, Springfield, Mo, in the Gathering Room. Burial of his ashes in the Altamont, Ks cemetery will be announced at a later date. Donations in lieu of flowers may be made in honor of Dr. Fred W. Johnson to the Southwest Missouri Office on Aging or Second Baptist Church. Fred was blessed to have spent his final days in the caring and loving hands at St. Johns Mercy Villa, especially his hospice nurse Shannon.
