Jess L. Johnson

Jess Johnson, 93 of Washington, Kansas, died Friday, May 20, 2011 at the Washington County Hospital. A funeral service was held at 11:00 a.m., Tuesday, May 24 at Ward Funeral Home in Washington. The Rev. Randy Jellison-Knock officiated. Burial was in the Washington City Cemetery with Military Honors provided by Ft. Riley. Jess was born December 26, 1917 at Mankato, Kansas, the son of John E. and Mary K. (Smith) Johnson. On March 21, 1943 he married Irma Loomis in California. To this union two children were born. Jess was a member of the American Legion,the First United Methodist Church in Washington, and a charter member of the Washington Rotary Club. He was an avid collector of everything from coins to model trains to model antique cars, a jack-of-all-trades (going so far as to build the family’s first boat, a 12’ wood & fiberglass craft powered by a 12 hp Evinrude motor, in his mother-in-law’s garage—a feat exceeded only by the fact that he managed to finagle it out of that garage!), who loved to travel (including a trip with Irma to Scotland), go to the lake, camp, water ski, & meet with his friends for coffee every morning at 5 a.m. He was fun-loving, a loyal friend, father, grandfather & spouse, “endearing” 69 years of marriage with the love of his life, Irma. Survivors include his wife, Irma; two children, Jolene (Randy) Miller, Florida, and Randy Johnson, Emporia; two grandchildren, Kim Marsh and Brian (Wendy) Marsh; two sisters, Bessie Outlar, Mankato, and Bonnie Hedden, Udall, Kansas. A memorial fund has been established to the Washington City Library. Contributions may be sent in care of Ward Funeral Home. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Jess L. Johnson, please visit our flower store.