Kenneth Edward Johnson

Kenneth Edward Johnson Jr. died peacefully in his sleep on June 28, 2025. He was born July 29, 1938 in Janesville, Wisconsin, the son of Kenneth Edward and Frances Ernestine (Seidel) Johnson.

Ken graduated in 1958 from Rosevelt High School in Des Moines, Iowa, where he grew up. Following graduation, he attended the University of Iowa in Iowa City. During college he was in the Air Force ROTC, a member of Delta Sigma Pi fraternity, and a DJ on the university radio station. After graduation, Ken was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the Air Force and stationed at Dyess Air Force Base in Abilene, Texas.

While in Abilene, he met his wife, Gail Kay Smith. They were married in 1963 and moved to Waldorf, Germany, where Ken was stationed at Rhein Main Air Force Base. The couple spent almost 2 years in Germany. In 1965 he was decommissioned as a First Lieutenant and the couple relocated to Houston, Texas. He accepted a job with Aetna, where he spent the remainder of his career (30 years).

Ken loved Iowa athletics, especially football and basketball. He could be found most Saturdays in the fall either listening or watching his team play. One of his favorite hobbies was working with freshwater fish aquariums, of which he had several for most of his life. Gail and Ken loved to travel, especially cruises, and driving throughout the United States. A cruise to Antarctica and a trip to Peru to see Machu Picchu were among his favorites.

Ken is survived by his wife of 61 years, Gail (Smith) Johnson, his daughter Tricia Johnson Boone and her husband David, two grandsons, Travis Crosby Boone and James Foster Boone, his sister Sallie Johnson Scott and many nieces and nephews.

A service of remembrance will be held at a later date.