Kenneth Johnson

Charles Kenneth (Ken) Johnson died Sunday, July 13, 2025, six days shy of his 96th birthday. Ken was born July 19, 1929, in Portsmouth, Ohio, to Wendell R. Johnson and Frances Mackey Johnson. His early years were on a farm in Georgetown and then Gath, Ohio, growing up with his older brother, Wendell Jr. When Ken was a teenager, the family moved to Cincinnati, Ohio, and he graduated from Cincinnati's Woodward High School, followed by his obtaining a Bachelor of Science Degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Cincinnati. Oklahoma Natural Gas Company recruited Ken to Oklahoma, but before he could begin work, he was drafted into the U.S. Army. Ken served state-side for two years during the Korean War. ONG held the job open for Ken, and after his honorable discharge from the army, Ken became a loyal employee of ONG for his entire career, first as a gas dispatcher, and retiring as Manager of Gas Control of ONEOK in 1986. After retirement, Ken enjoyed participating with his fellow retirees in the ONGoers Club. Ken married Alice Dilbeck in 1957. Together they raised three children. After retiring, Ken and Alice learned to square dance, and they enjoyed countless square dances in several of Tulsa's square dance clubs and road-tripping to square dance conventions all over North America. Ken and Alice were happily married until her death in 2000. Ken met his second wife, Leota Burson, a widow in one of those square dance clubs. Ken and Leota enjoyed 20 years together until Leota's death in 2023. Ken was a dedicated blood donor, having donated more than 37 gallons of blood to the American Red Cross. In retirement, he logged thousands of miles as a volunteer driver for ARC, transporting blood to Oklahoma hospitals. Ken was a member of St. Paul's United Methodist Church for more than 65 years where he served in many capacities, including usher, trustee, and chair of the administrative board. Ken's Christian faith was central to his life. His core belief was that "God loves everybody", and so that was his job, his calling, his mission: to "love everybody", too. Ken's life and demeanor exemplified this belief: He was kind to everyone, grateful for any kindness shown to him, patient, optimistic, trusting, and quick with a smile and a good word. Ken was preceded in death by his parents, Ray and Frances Johnson; his brother and sister-in-law, Wendell and Lois Johnson, his first wife and the mother of his children, Alice Johnson; his second wife and the light of his golden years, Leota Johnson; and a great-grandson, Miles Pascoe. He is survived by his three children, Debra Pascoe and spouse, Neal Pascoe; John Johnson and spouse, Megan Johnson; and Judy Johnson; four grandchildren, Jeff Pascoe and spouse, Josie Pascoe; Ben Pascoe; Triniti Porter and spouse, Mare Porter; and Terra Melton and spouse, Kevin Melton; and two great-grandsons, Jexton Johnson and Lincoln Melton. Ken's life and witness will be publicly celebrated at 2:00 pm on Thursday, July 17, 2025, at St. Paul's United Methodist Church, 1442 South Quaker Avenue, Tulsa. Ken's family gratefully suggests that any gifts in memory of Ken be made in the form of contributions to St Paul's United Methodist Church or American Red Cross . Moore's Eastlawn Chapel, 918-622-1155.

Kenneth Johnson

July 19, 1929 - July 13, 2025