Kenneth Roland Johnson

He was the son of the late Chester and Doris Johnson. Ken was predeceased by his younger brother Hugh Edward Johnson. He is survived by his beloved wife Kathy Fraser Johnson, daughter Cindy Northington, sons Steve and Jeff Johnson and their spouses Guy Northington, Mary Price Johnson and Amye Tatum Johnson. Ken had 11 grandchildren: Will Northington; Wes Northington and wife Kellie; Ginny Northington Quinn and husband Daniel; Fletcher Johnson and wife Tracy; Price Johnson and wife Sarah; Gardener, Wilson, and Hill Johnson; Tatum, Rawls and Forrest Johnson; and his sister-in-law Barbara Johnson. Ken had three wonderful wives, two of whom preceded him in death: Bernita Fletcher Johnson and Katherine Lamar Johnson. His step children were: Shepherd Smith: Margaret Lamar and husband David Gaar; Bill Fraser and wife Molly; Patricia Reeder and husband Jeff. He had a number of step grandchildren, two great granddaughters and one great grandson. He also leaves behind long-time faithful friend of the family, Justina Villalobos.

Ken was born in San Augustine on the 15th of September 1924 and grew up in Houston where he attended Lanier Junior High and Lamar Senior High schools. He began his college career at Texas A&M before going into the service. Ken spent 44 months in the Merchant Marine and US Navy during World War II. He served thirteen months in the Southwest Pacific participating in the New Guinea and Philippine Islands campaigns before being assigned to the Eighth Naval District Headquarters in New Orleans. Following his service he returned to the University of Texas where he was a member of the Kappa Alpha Order Fraternity and received his BS degree in geology in January 1950.

Ken spent 35 years as an exploration geologist with one major oil company and several large independent oil companies and as a consulting geologist. He had a number of significant discoveries to his credit. During his time with different companies he lived in Shreveport and Lafayette, Louisiana, and in Beeville, Brenham, Lakeway and Houston. He was active in Lafayette Geological Society, Houston Geological and Corpus Christie Geological Society. He was a member of the Brenham Rotary, and Lakeway Rotary clubs. Also, he was a member of the River Oaks Country Club, Houston Racket Club and the Hills of Lakeway Country Club. He was a member of the Episcopal Church of the Ascension in Lafayette, the St. Peters Episcopal Church in Beeville, the St. Phillips Episcopal Church in Brenham, Lakeway Church in Lakeway and the St. Luke’s United Methodist Church in Houston.

After retiring Ken and Kathy spent much of their time in the northwest exploring and visiting with family which they enjoyed very much. Ken was very thankful that God blessed him with a long, rich and happy life.

A memorial service celebrating his life is to be conducted at two o’clock in the afternoon on Monday, the 5th of January, in the chapel of St. Luke’s United Methodist Church, 3741 Westheimer Road in Houston, where Rev. Bill Denham is to officiate. Immediately following, all are invited to greet the family during a reception in the nearby Hines Baker room.

Prior to the service, the family will have gathered for a private interment at Forest Park Lawndale Cemetery in Houston.