Kenneth Johnson

1932 — 2024

It is with profound sadness and immense love that we announce the passing of Kenneth Coop Johnson, a compassionate and humble soul who touched countless lives with his generosity and empathy. Born on October 19, 1932, Ken lived a fulfilling life that epitomized service, hard work, faith, and love. As Mother Teresa once said, “Not all of us can do great things. But we can do small things with great love,” and this was the essence of Ken’s life.

Ken was a proud native of Ogden, Utah, where he was born to Arthur Lorenzo Johnson and Dorothy Elizabeth Coop Johnson. His journey of life was marked by outstanding achievements and deep commitment to his faith and his community. He was an accomplished academic, first graduating from Ogden High School where he made his mark on the football field. He furthered his education at Weber College, University of Utah, and finally the University of Minnesota where he earned a Master’s Degree in Hospital Administration. Ken worked full-time at J.G. Read & Bros. in order to pay for his education and support his young family on his way to completion of his undergraduate degrees.

Ken’s professional life was as accomplished as his academic journey. He served as an assistant administrator at three hospitals, was the administrator of Primary Children’s Hospital in Salt Lake City, Utah, administrator of McKay-Dee hospital in Ogden, Utah, and eventually served as Vice President of Operations at Intermountain Healthcare retiring in 1992.

Ken’s love story was one of devotion and eternal love. He was married to Kathryn Claire Armstrong on March 21, 1952, and they were blessed with nine beautiful children, never missing any of their school or social events and he coached little league teams for many years for all, including his grandkids. After Claire’s passing, Ken found love again with Margene Pulsipher Taylor, blending two large, remarkable families and epitomizing the power of love and commitment.

His dedication to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints was unwavering, and he served in numerous capacities, including Young Men’s President, High Councilor, Bishop’s Counselor, Bishop, Patriarch, and Temple Sealer. Ken served a mission with Claire in the Germany, Frankfurt mission and also served a mission with Margene in the Asia Area Office in Hong Kong where they served as Area Welfare Agents for LDS Charities which took them to ten other countries in Asia including China.

Ken was preceded in death by his parents, his first wife Claire, son Kerrigan Healy, Son in Law Rod Wayne Ashworth, grandsons Luke, Ian, Kash and Major Brent (Jennie) Taylor, granddaughters Ashley and Brittany, brothers Arthur (Beverly), Jesse (Bunnie), Dave (Bonnie), and sisters Dorothy Hare (Don), Carolynne Henderson (George), and Rhoda Johnson.

He is survived by his wife Margene, daughters Kathryn Spencer (Kelly), Kristin Stroud (Dave), Katie Stanger, and Kara Chadwick (Wayne), sons K.C. (Amanda), Kipton (Shauna), Kevin (Nikki), and Kyle (Denise), Bruce (Lauri) Jensen, Brent (Linda) Taylor, Julie (Clark) Skeen, Debra (Roger) Bailey, Russell Jensen, Blair (Marcy) Jensen, brother Robert (Lorna) Johnson and 56 grandchildren, 151 great grandchildren and 5 great, great grandchildren (Ken and Margene sent birthday cards and money to every one of their progeny until May of 2023).

After Dad’s passing, his grandson, Mike, said, “there isn’t anyone on this earth that has a negative thing to say about Ken Johnson!” He was a true disciple of the Lord Jesus Christ. He served others faithfully and untiringly in a humble and caring way. We will miss him greatly, however, as he taught us, we are assured that through the Atonement of Jesus Christ we will be united again in a coming day. As dad would say, “the best is yet to come!”

Please join us to celebrate Ken’s life with a viewing on Thursday, May 9, 2024, at Myers Mortuary, 845 Washington Blvd. Ogden from 6-8 pm and on Friday, at North Ogden 2nd Ward, 770 E. 2100 N. North Ogden, from 9-10:30 am. Funeral services will be held at the church on Friday, at 11 am.

The services will be live streamed at https://MyersMortuary.livecontrol.tv/f653b412

In remembering Ken, we invite you to share your memories and stories on his memorial page at www.myers-mortuary.com. His legacy lives on in the hearts and minds of everyone he interacted with, and sharing these memories will help us all to celebrate his remarkable life.

Condolences may be sent to the family at www.myers-mortuary.com.