Larry Gerald Johnson

Larry Gerald Johnson, Born January 6, 1940, the oldest son of Paul and Nadine Johnson, Passed away in Independence, Missouri, January 9, 2017 at the age of 77.

Raised in a military family, Larry began his own military career as a 14 year old member of the Civil Air Patrol in Fort Riley Kansas. He later joined the Army Air Corps and even spent time as a Military Police Officer. He remained a member of the Army National Guard until he retired as a Sargent in 2002.

As a child, Larry preferred to read and study rather than play; although he did enjoy marbles, trains and checkers. He even won a brand new 1956 Chevrolet in an essay contest at the age of 15. Larry attended college in both Alaska and Indiana studying to become an electrical engineer. He went on to obtain a pilot license and loved to fly to Texas to scuba dive.

Larry worked as a guard at Lansing Penitentiary, at Boeing Aircraft in Wichita and at Kansas City Power & Light. He joined University of Kansas Medical Center as an electrician in 1986 and retired from there in 2002.

Larry married his Wife Yong at the age of 40 and they made their home in Independence, Missouri. They had two children, David and Daisy. He enjoyed taking his family to museums and the zoo. He adored his two granddaughters, Holly and Hannah, who referred to him as “Papa”.

Larry always said, “he never missed a meal”. In fact, he enjoyed his biscuits and gravy from Denny’s almost every day.

He wasn’t really a handy man and never took to cell phones, but he could find CNN on any TV that crossed his path.

Larry was a kind-hearted man, much loved by his family. He was very independent, maintained a simple life and definitely did things his way.

Larry was preceded in death by his parents. He is survived by his Wife Yong; Son David and his wife Amber of Liberty, MO; Daughter Daisy and her husband Ryan Downing of Blue Springs, MO; Grandchildren Holly and Hannah Downing of Blue Springs, MO; Sister Verdia Gray of Wellsville, KS; Sister Judy and her Husband David Farrell of Loxahachee, FL; Brother Charles “Chuck” Johnson of Lawrence, KS and many nieces and nephews.