Kent Garris Johnson

Kent was born to Bud and Betty Johnson (preceded in death) of Dublin, Indiana on July 16, 1954. He was the youngest of three boys, his older brothers being Dennis and Neal Johnson. In 1976 he graduated from Georgetown College, Kentucky, with a degree in Biology and a minor in Chemistry. Later he completed his Masters in Forensic Toxicology at the University of Florida. After beginning his career in forensic toxicology in Lexington, Kentucky in 1976, he subsequently obtained a job in Ft. Worth, Texas where he met his future wife Susan (McKinnis) Johnson. Kent and Susan married in August 1979, and had four children during their time in Ft. Worth. Following a period of three years in Houston, the family moved to Portland, Oregon in 1994 for Kent’s work at MetroLab/Legacy Laboratory Services, where he served as Scientific and Lab Director until 2008. Since 2008 Kent held several positions in the forensic toxicology field, starting several labs and most recently operating as a consultant and lab director for several labs around the country. He also served for numerous years as a certified lab inspector. The Portland area remained his home base, and he and Susan enjoyed their many travels together and with their family around the Northwest, the country, and the world. Some of his interests as a young man and throughout life included golf, flying airplanes, and the Dallas Cowboys. A gifted musician, Kent also served as interim music minister for several years at First Baptist Church of Beaverton, Oregon. Kent’s greatest joy was his family.

In addition to his children Aaron (40); Stephen (37); Kristen (35); and Timothy (33) and their spouses Devon, Emily, Patrick, and Laura, he is survived by ten grandchildren: Connor (17); Aiden (15); Abigail (12); Cooper (8); Mason (4); Peyton (4); Ava (3); Henry (3); Cora (1); and Charlotte (11 months). He will be dearly missed.

A funeral service to honor the life of Kent Johnson will be held Thursday, June 23, 2022 at 1pm at Finley-Sunset Hills Mortuary, 6801 SW Sunset Hwy, Portland, Oregon 97225, preceded by a viewing at 12pm. A reception will follow at 2pm, concluded by a graveside service at 3pm.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.finleysunsethills.com for the Johnson family.