Kenneth Dale Johnson

Ken was born May 1, 1943 in Bakersfield, California, the second child of Frank and Winona Johnson. Raised in Shafter, he attended local schools and spent his youth participating in Boy Scouts and the Shafter Mennonite Brethren Church youth group. He graduated from Shafter High School in 1961. Ken went on to study at Bakersfield College and graduated with an A.A. in Liberal Studies in 1963 and transferred to Tabor College in Hillsboro, Kansas, where he graduated in 1965, with a B.A. in Business Administration with an emphasis in Accounting. At Tabor, he met Rita Jo Beltz, who would become his loving wife of 58 years. They were married June 30, 1966.

In the early years of their marriage, Ken and Rita lived in Fresno, Bakersfield and Hillsboro before permanently settling in northeast Bakersfield in 1985. They were active members of Heritage Bible Church for almost 50 years and Ken often served as an usher and greeter for Sunday services. Faith and family were of utmost importance to Ken all through his life. Together, Ken and Rita raised three wonderful children and created a home overflowing with generous hospitality where extended family and friends gathered regularly. Ken worked in the business offices for several companies during his career including Fresno Pacific University, Duncan Ceramics, Ken’s Home Center, Heritage Railway Service, Diversified Transport Systems and Golden Empire Mortgage. Together with his father, they managed Perry’s Salad Bowl in Bakersfield and later co-owned Franklin’s Family Restaurant in Bakersfield. Ken and Rita spent two decades operating Klassy Kreations, a home-based decorated clothing business.

Ken was an avid reader and was always looking forward to the next John Grisham novel. He was an expert at BBQing and in recent years he came to enjoy smoking meats in his Traeger. In their retirement, Ken and Rita enjoyed traveling in their RV to the central coast, playing card games and spending hours assembling jigsaw puzzles together. Ken is survived by wife, Rita, children Jennifer Johnson of Bakersfield, CA, Jay and Jen Johnson of Bakersfield, CA and Jill and Adam Lee of Madera Ranchos, CA. He leaves behind five grandchildren Tanner, Jett and Kinley Johnson and Micah and Lucy Lee. He is also survived by sisters Suzanne Johnson of Bakersfield, CA, Julia Glick of Hudson, WI, several nieces and nephews and many cousins. He was preceded in death by his parents, Frank and Winona Johnson, and oldest sister, Nona Johnson.

Graveside Services will be held July 26, 2024 at 9 AM at Hillcrest Memorial Park with a Celebration of Life immediately following at Heritage Bible Church.