Daniel "Dan" M Johnson

Daniel “Dan” M. Johnson, 73, of Topeka, passed away on Wednesday, January 14, 2026, following a courageous battle with ALS. Throughout his illness, Dan faced each day with quiet strength and grace.

Dan was born on January 5, 1953, in Tulia, Texas, to James and Mary (Lange) Johnson. He spent his childhood in Texas and Oklahoma, later working as a custom harvester across Texas before eventually settling in Kansas. Dan valued education, earning his bachelor’s degree from Friends University, and his master’s degree from Fort Hays State University. He was an avid reader and a lifelong patron of public libraries.

For 25 years, Dan dedicated his career to Sunflower Electric Power Plant, where he worked as an instrumentation and control planner. After retiring from Sunflower, he continued working as a maintenance technician at Frito-Lay in Topeka. He was known for his strong work ethic, reliability, and thoughtful problem-solving.

In 1975, Dan married Cynthia Raught. Together, they built a life grounded in commitment, laughter, and family. He was a devoted husband, proud father, and grandfather who cherished time spent with those he loved.

Survivors include his wife, Cynthia, of the home; his children, Crystal Young and husband Henry Coen, Blaine Johnson and wife Camille, and Paige Johnson; and his beloved grandchildren, Michaella, Taylor, Cru, Justine, Hazel, and Lincoln, who brought him endless joy. He is also survived by his brothers, James “Jimmie Joe,” Mark, and Chris. He was preceded in death by his parents and his brother, Steve.

Family was always Dan’s highest priority. He found peace and fulfillment outdoors, especially on his farm near Tecumseh, Kansas. He loved bird watching, hunting, fishing, and researching his family’s genealogy. Dan was a baseball enthusiast and loyal supporter of the Kansas City Royals. Dan took pride in his self-reliance and ingenuity, taking on a wide variety of home and farm projects.

Dan was cremated. A celebration of life will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, January 31, at Tecumseh United Methodist Church, 334 SE Tecumseh Rd, Tecumseh, KS 66542. Memorial contributions may be made in Dan’s honor to the Team Gleason Foundation, which provides resources for persons with ALS.

To share a memory of Dan or leave a message of comfort for his family, please visit the guestbook below.