Kenneth Johnson

KENNETH RAY JOHNSON, 71 THERMOPOLIS, Wyo. - Kenneth Ray Johnson, 71, passed away Thursday, Nov. 29, 2012, in Thermopolis. He was born March 3, 1941, in Chatfield, Minn., to Vernon and Ethel (Stephenson) Johnson. Ken spent his childhood in Cheyenne until the family moved to Belvidere, Ill. He worked many jobs while raising his family, including 20 years with the Belvidere Fire Dept., until he retired as a captain in 1982. He married Eileen in 1981. They soon moved to Wyoming. He was the owner of Canyon Sporting Goods in Thermopolis. He was an avid hunter, fisherman, and all-around outdoorsman. Ken is survived by wife, Eileen; siblings, Arthur (Sherry) Johnson, Vickie (Gary) Brace and Jean Giesecke; children, Jay (Beth) Johnson, Jan Renkas and Lesa (Brian) Morelock; son-in-law, Terry Welch; 14 grandchildren; and three great- granddaughters. Predeceased by his parents; brother, Donald; sister, Patricia Schweitzer; daughter, Carey Welch; and son-in-law, Joseph Renkas. Service at 10 a.m. Friday, Dec. 7, at St. Paul's Lutheran Church, Thermopolis. Memorial donations may be sent to Risen Son Christian School, 342 Amoretti, Thermopolis, WY, 82443. Condolences at bryantfuneralhomeonline.com.