Kenneth Eldred Johnson

Services for Kenneth Eldred Johnson, of Zavalla, will be Saturday, May 17, 2014, 2:00 PM at Gipson Funeral Home Chapel, with Reverend Richard Johnson and Reverend Bettie Kennedy officiating. Ken was born May 8, 1928 in Plainview, Nebraska, and passed away May 2, 2014 at home a few days before his 86th birthday.

Ken Johnson married Barbara Jean (Penny) Pennington on May 28, 1950. He was a retired United Methodist Minister of the Texas Annual Conference. Ken served as the Camp Superintendent for two Methodist Church camps, one in Nebraska and the other Wisconsin. He returned to school to expand his education becoming a CPA, then an attorney. In 1983, Ken and Penny moved to Texas and returned to the pastorate. They built an earth-sheltered home near Zavalla where they retired. Both have been active members of Shady Chapel United Methodist Church in Zavalla and the East Texas Emmaus Community, as well as charter members of ZAM Outreach, formerly Zavalla Area Ministries.

Ken is survived by Penny, his wife of almost 64 years; nine of his 12 children: Sharon, Glenda, Carolyn, Debbie, Roxie, Mary, Janet, Rodger, and Dori; 18 grandchildren; 24 great-grandchildren; three great-great grandchildren; his sister Carol Kalkwarf and his sisters-in-law Ruby Johnson and Ruth Spencer; as well as many other relatives, and church family members.

He was preceded in death by his parents John H. and Lida Johnson; his three brothers Clarence, Rolly, and Lloyd Johnson; and three of his children: Gary, Lou, and Jeff.

Condolences may be offered at www.gipsonfuneralhome.com

Services have been placed in the trust of Gipson Funeral Home