Lewis William Johnson, loving husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather and friend to many, passed away March 27, 2024. Born in a two bedroom farmhouse February 26, 1932 to John Edwin and Docia Mae Johnson, Lew grew up in Verona, MO.
He is survived by his wife Joan of 27 years and her two children, Kenneth Nollett and Melinda (Yair Solan), and by his children, Dave (Lori Johnson), Bruce (Sharla Johnson), Brenda (Kerry Smyth) and Larry (Barb Johnson-deceased) along with 15 grandchildren and 25 great-grandchildren and his sister, Thelma Rockwell.
Lew was married to his Verona High School sweetheart, Maxine Uhrig, for 40 years. They were wed at Camp Pendleton in San Diego where he was enlisted in the United State Marine Corp. He served in the Korean War as a Corporal and was a proud participant of the 2018 Midwest Honor Flight to Washington, D.C.
Lew received his bachelor’s degree in accounting from the University of Missouri in Columbia, MO in 1957 and went on to get his CPA certification. He worked for Peat, Marwick & Mitchell in Kansas City, MO and for Cargill, Inc., in Hutchinson, KS and Minneapolis, MN prior to purchasing his own CPA business in Valentine in 1983 which is now known as L&B Johnson PC following a merger with his son Bruce Johnson in 2002.
Lew retired in 2018 at the age of 86. Over the years, Lew was an active community leader serving the Rotary Club, Cherry County Hospital Foundation, 4th degree Knight for Knights of Columbus, and sat on several Boards of Directors in the community.
In the past, he sang in church choirs and was a member of SPBSQSA (Society for Preservation of Barber Shop Quartet Singing in America).
He always enjoyed a good round of golf and ice-fishing with Valentine buddies; was always ready for family campouts; was a master woodworker and passed that talent to his three sons; loved babies and puppies; could fix anything including full restoration of his 1931 Model A named Rosco; and liked mowing grass by the lake with his Jubilee Ford tractor; but he especially loved family gatherings.
Lew will forever be remembered by many positive traits and exemplary roles: happy, wise, caring, loving, gentle, leader, quiet but proud American Marine, beloved sibling “Little Swede,” husband, Father “Daddy,” Grandpa, Great Grandpa “Papa Lew,” Uncle “Bill,” a good man, wonderful to talk to, funny, ornery, listener and advisor, easy and enjoyable company, giver of great hugs and smooches, inspiration for many, will be missed by all, forever in our hearts.
Chapel of the Pines held a public viewing April 4. Rosary held at St. Nicholas Catholic Church April 4, and memorial service April 5, at 10:00 a.m. followed by interment at Mt. Hope Cemetery and reception at St. Nicholas Fellowship Hall.
Memorials may be made to Sandhills Area Foundation and Cherry County Hospital Foundation. Sandoz Chapel of the Pines was entrusted with service arrangements.
