Kenneth Johnson

Published 8:20 am Thursday, November 16, 2017

April 24, 1928 – November 8, 2017

On Wednesday, November 8, 2017, with family by his side, Kenneth Johnson left this world for his eternal resting place.

Ken was born April 24, 1928, in Westfir, Oregon, to Carl and Zelda Johnson. He attended public school in Westfir, Willamina, and finally in McMinnville, where he met Marjorie Macy, his future wife. Ken was active in sports at McMinnville High School, excelling in football, basketball, and baseball. He and Marjorie attended Oregon State College, Ken studying agriculture and Marjorie studying business and secretarial science. They were married upon Ken’s graduation from Oregon State College in 1950 and were married for nearly 66 years.

While serving in the U.S. Marine Corps, he and Marjorie welcomed son, Ken and daughter, Victoria to their family. After his discharge, Ken and Marjorie operated a farm near McMinnville and welcomed two more children, Pamela and David. In 1956, Ken’s job offer took the family to Bend, Oregon, where they have made their home since.As an Animal Husbandry major, Ken always loved farming and animals, owning and working with horses most of his life. From feed and seed stores (including his own business for a time) to agricultural fertilizer, Ken served the farmers and ranchers of Central and Eastern Oregon for almost 40 years, making numerous lifelong acquaintances and friends.

Ken was also an involved citizen of his community. A member of the Presbyterian Church, Rimrock Riders, and the Elks, he also was a 4-H leader, and a Deschutes County Fair Board Director for several years, serving as Grand Marshal in 1990. Later in life, he served on various local boards. – A true competitor all his life, Ken played sports in high school and college, team-roped as an adult, then was active on the golf course and later on at the pool table, enjoying the activities and helping others, especially children and grandchildren, to learn.

He is survived by son, Kenneth Carl; daughters, Victoria and Pamela; 10 grandchildren; and 10 great-grandchildren.He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Marjorie (in 2016); brother, Robert B. Johnson; sister, Carolee Matthews; and son, David (in 2014).

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to Partners In Care, 2075 NE Wyatt Court, Bend, OR, 97701.

Services for Kenneth will be held at Chapel of Macy and Son on Saturday, November 18, 2017 at 2:30 p.m. To leave condolences, please visit www.macyandson.com.