Kelly Johnson

1986 - 2026

Kelly Johnson

September 26, 1986 - March 12, 2026

Leawood, Kansas - Kelly Leigh Johnson arrived in this world three weeks early on September 26, 1986, the first child of Sandy and David Johnson. She was born at North Kansas City Hospital (now NKC Health) and spent her formative years surrounded and supported by the Northland community. She graduated with an International Baccalaureate degree from North Kansas City High School in May of 2005, and managed to finish as her class valedictorian while playing soccer, basketball and volleyball. She went on to Washington University in St. Louis to complete a BS in Business Administration in May of 2009. She was a member of Kappa Kappa Gamma there. Kelly was a gifted student and dedicated herself to her academic goals, but was equally as committed to her friends and enjoying all of the usual mischief-making experiences.

Kelly wore many hats (literally and figuratively) in her career, including public relations and HR work at Cerner, marketing work at Maxus Properties where she served as the Director of Marketing, and later obtaining her real estate license and pursuing real estate sales. While doing the latter she started working on a nursing degree, and spent evenings completing the science prerequisites that she lacked from undergraduate work, all the while juggling her role as the Executive Director of the family foundation, baby-sitting, and many more side projects. She was a hustler - smart and astute and deeply driven and one of the hardest workers around. She loved multi-tasking, the busier the better. It was her mantra.

Behind this busy woman was a beautiful soul who struggled for many years with depression and anxiety. She battled so hard to heal herself and her mind, but finally surrendered to the pain on March 12, 2026. So many people never knew this, because she chose to present the smiling, poised side of herself to the public. But her family and legions of close friends knew, and fought for her as hard as they could. They can take solace in knowing that this sensitive, empathetic woman is in a better place.

Kelly will be remembered for her unique sense of humor which drew people to her immediately. There were memorable stories of this as far back as Camp Birchwood as a young girl and later the pranks she would play on her friends. They claim she had a magic "bag of tricks" on her at all times. Her laugh was contagious, one of her friends' favorite remembrances. She was passionate – the Kansas City Chiefs, Taylor Swift, and her dogs were just a few of her obsessions, and she had a heart for volunteering and giving back to her community. In addition, the traits that keep coming through time and time again in emails, texts and social media posts are: loyal, smart, giving, loveable, outgoing, welcoming and fashionable. Kelly was one of a kind and so deeply loved.

Kelly is survived by her parents: Sandra Castetter Johnson and David Johnson; her brother Corey; her maternal aunt Kim Peterson (husband Truce); her paternal aunt Janet (husband Jim); cousins Natalie, Lindsey, Hailey and Taryn; her godson Crew Collins and her dogs Greta and Hootie, and so many "found family members." Kelly was preceded in death by her maternal grandparents, Loraine and Dick Castetter, and her paternal grandparents Vonda and Leland Johnson, and her first dog Lily.

A Celebration of Life honoring Kelly will be held on Friday, April 10, 2026 at the Abbott in the Crossroads District at 4:00 pm. There will be a service followed by a Happy Hour reception, which Kelly would have loved.

Memorial contributions are suggested to LevelUp Kids at https://levelupkidsinc.org/ (providing free dental and vision care for Northland kids), or Children's Mercy Fore the Kids Illuminate Fund (focusing on mental health), give.childrensmercykids.org/kellyjohnson Memories of Kelly and condolences to the family may be shared at meyersfuneralchapel.com. Final arrangements entrusted with Meyers Northland Chapel, Parkville, MO.