Kent L. Johnson

Canandaigua – Kent Lee Johnson, age 78, passed away peacefully at home, on Tuesday, March 29, 2022. He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Patricia Johnson; four children, Kenneth (Connie) Johnson, Kim (Michael) Riccio, Kevin (Tanya) Johnson and Kyle (Jennifer) Johnson; 10 grandchildren, Patrick (Angela), Catherine (Dave), Alexandra (Craig), Samantha, Ridgley, Kylah (Max), Rhian, Mitchell, Eliseand Sophia; seven great-grandchildren; two siblings, Richard (Nancy) Johnson and Gail (Alan) Foss; sisters-in-law, Linda Stalker and Marti (Tom) Reed; and several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his brother-in-law, Richard Stalker in 2022; and nephews, Jeff and Jim Stalker.
Kent was born in Medina, NY and was the son of Everett and Helen (Langdon) Johnson. He grew up in the trucking business, starting with Langdon Trucking based in Lyndonville. Kent and Pat were high school sweethearts and he graduated from Lyndonville High School in 1962 and the Academy of Advanced Traffic in Manhattan, NY in 1963. He established K.J. Transportation, Inc., in 1973 with one truck shipping Ragu from the ports of Rochester. The business had grown to 400 trucks and 500 employees and was sold in 1998. In 2001, Kent partnered with family to establish Leonard's Express, Inc. He "retired" in 2012 along with his wife Patricia, from Leonard's Express. Kent was Chairman of the NYS Motor Truck Association from 1992-1994 and a member of the Rochester Transportation Council. In 2008, he was awarded Transportation Executive of the Year. Kent was also a cattle farmer, along with his friend Pete Dehond. He was a business colleague with Jim Lake and they were lifelong friends.
Kent was active with Boy Scouts of America, Finger Lakes Council and received the Distinguished Citizen Award in 2008. In 1996, he received the Paul F. Hillman Distinguished Service Award from NYS Motor Truck Association. Kent was Chairman of the Youth Power Dinner in 2012 and was a board member of the Canandaigua Civic Center. Kent enjoyed collecting Winross Trucks.
His passion was work and family. Kent was a very dedicated husband, father and grandfather. He was a serial entrepreneur and charismatic leader who built lasting friendships along the way. Kent will also be remembered for his storytelling.
The family would like to extend special thanks to his caregivers. Without their help, he would not have been able to remain at home in his final days.
His memorial service will be held Monday, April 4, at 2 pm, at the First United Methodist Church, 100 N. Main St., Canandaigua. Interment will be in Woodlawn Cemetery, Canandaigua. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Family Promise of Ontario Co., 185 N. Main St., Canandaigua, NY 14424 or Canandaigua Emergency Squad, 233 N. Pearl St., Canandaigua, NY 14424 or Ontario-Yates Hospice, 756 Pre-Emption Rd., Geneva, NY 14456. Arrangements are by Johnson-Kennedy Funeral Home, Inc., Canandaigua. Condolences may be offered at www.johnsonkennedy.com.