Kenneth Eugene Johnson

Kenneth Eugene Johnson, age 82 of Mesa, AZ died June 1, 2005 in Mesa surrounded by his family. He was born June 19, 1922 in Cowley WY to Eugene and Mabel Johnson. He was raised in Helena, MT where he played basketball, football, baseball, ran track, and was student body president. There he met the love of his life Joann Brinton. After graduation he attended and played basketball for Carleton College in Northfield, MN for 2 1/2 years. They were married in the LDS temple in Cardston, Alberta, Canada. The couple then moved to Minneapolis, where he attended medical school at the University of Minnesota and continued to play basketball. Being only 5'7", he relied on speed and intensity for success, and was known in the local press as the "gopher cyclone". Following medical school, he completed residency training at the University of Minnesota in internal medicine. Thereafter he served 4 years in the U.S. Army as a medical officer at Walter Reed Hospital in Washington, D.C. and Madigan Army Hospital in Tacoma, WA. During the Korean War he served on the Artificial Kidney Team of the 11th Evacuation Hospital in Wonju, Korea. He was then transferred to Yokohama where he completed his military service with the rank of Major. IN 1954 the young family settled in Idaho Falls, ID where he practiced with the Hatch clinic. In 1957 they moved to Phoenix. There he established one of the early private practices of nephrology (medical kidney disease). In 1958 he created the first acute dialysis program in the southwest. In 1961 he organized the Arizona Kidney Foundation and served as its initial president. The same year he organized and headed the first chronic dialysis program and began service on the board of directors of the Maricopa County Medical Society. He received the Gold Headed Cane Award twice from the Society for the establishment of acute and then chronic dialysis in Maricopa County. During his professional life he maintained a strong commitment to exercise and health. When no longer able to compete in basketball he turned to tennis and volleyball. In 1993 he published the book Mormon Wisdom and Health, a medical review of the LDS doctrine relating to diet. He was a faithful member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints serving in many callings including that of Bishop of the Phoenix 3rd Ward from 1964 to 1969. Generous and caring by nature, he helped with the education of many young men and women. A great father, he was optimistic, even tempered, forgiving, and enjoyed teaching by example. After retiring in the late 1980's he spent his time maintaining a family summer-home near Bayfield, CO, reading, writing, and for the last 10 years of his life, providing tireless and loving care of his wife, Joann before her passing in January 2004. Active and enthusiastic to the end of his life, he played golf and enjoyed traveling with his family. Just 6 weeks before his passing he spent 2 weeks touring Viet Nam with his youngest son. He is survived by 3 sons, Kenneth Jr. and Mark of Mesa, AZ and Don of Santa Rosa, CA. He has 13 grandchildren and 5 great-grandsons. Visitation will be Friday, May 6 at Bunker's Garden Chapel, 33 N. Centennial Way, Mesa from 7-9 p.m. Services will be held Saturday, May 7 at the Mesa 18th Ward Chapel, 2228 E. Brown Road, Mesa with a viewing 1 hour before the service at that location. Sign the Guest Book at eastvalleytribune.com