Kenneth William Johnson died on February 14, 2026 after a battle with dementia and acute leukemia. Born in Washington D.C. on August 30, 1945, "KJ" moved with his family to the Springfield/ Branson, Missouri area during his early childhood. His parents (Glen and Mabel Johnson) moved his younger sister (Glenda) and KJ to Branson where they built the Paramount Motor Lodge, one of the first motels in Branson.

At Branson High School, KJ excelled academically and was a proficient speech and debate specialist. This skill served him well after high school as he attended Mizzou for both his undergraduate and his Law Degree, which he earned with honors on January 26, 1970. Thereafter, he and his wife Sharon (Van Sandt) -- (who were married on June 17, 1967 while still at Mizzou) moved to Springfield, MO, and KJ passed the Bar Exam on April 25, 1970. He then began his lengthy legal career working at Bussell, Hough & Greene, before eventually practicing law at Johnson & Sweeney. Thereafter, he continued practicing with various versions of Twibell Johnson, Trial Attorneys for decades.

KJ was a man of many interests and abilities. Whether he was bird hunting, deer hunting, shooting skeet, out finding arrowheads, hunting morel mushrooms, collecting BB guns or attending puzzle conventions throughout the United States with Sharon, he was always a delight to be around. KJ was an exceptional musician as well, as he played bass guitar in a college band at Mizzou ("The Fabulous Appolos"). He also played the guitar and dabbled with the banjo—but he was an exceptional piano player. He could play by ear, and would often be the life of the party, playing songs by request.

While he was a terrible golfer, he loved to play golf with his buddies; he was one of the original members of the Pond Scum™ group at Twin Oaks CC in Springfield, MO. A highlight of his golf career (that may be discussed in polite company) was his hole-in-one he made on number 4 while playing in Twilight League with his Mother, Mabel. He loved the fact that still, to this day, he has more career holes-in-one than his son, Jason (1-0). He often dazzled his playing partners with his robust knowledge of birds and trees; he carried an ornithology book in his golf bag in case someone doubted whether that bird was indeed a boat-tailed grackle. The membership of Twin Oaks became very proficient on identifying which Hedge apple trees on the course were male, and which were female. ("The female Hedge apple trees have Hedge apples… The males do not!")

Later in life, you could find KJ carrying his clipboard, with English cryptic crossword puzzles in various stages of completion, often at the Gastropub, Twin Oaks grill, or Uncle Bentley's. He loved betting the horses at Oaklawn racetrack and playing blackjack in Biloxi, MS while on golf vacations with his son and friends.

But KJ really adored all of his time with his grandsons Tyler and Carson Johnson, whether watching them both play tee ball or soccer as little kids, taking them to the zoo or the Nature Center with Sharon, or watching Tyler play basketball at Glendale High School or Carson play tennis or winning swimming State Championships at Glendale High School. He especially enjoyed spending time with both of them at the hunting club, just poking the fire.

Although Father Time and the insidious ravages of dementia conspired to gradually rob KJ of his abilities to drive, play music, and solve the incredibly difficult puzzles he so loved, he never lost his charm or his soul. He maintained his happy demeanor and his sense of humor up to the very end.

KJ is survived by his wife Sharon; his sister Glenda Kemple of Dallas, TX; his son Jason Johnson and his wife Karen Johnson of Springfield, MO; and his grandsons Tyler Johnson and Carson Johnson, both of Springfield.

A come-and-go celebration of KJ's life will be held at Twin Oaks Country Club, 1020 E. Republic Road, Springfield, MO 65807on April 10, 2026 from 4:30 to 7:00 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in KJ's honor to Care To Learn at caretolearn.org. Online condolences may be made at www.gormanscharpf.com.