Bernard Joseph Johnson

Bernard Joseph Johnson, 76, resident of rural Deerfield, Mo., passed from this life Saturday, Oct. 25, 2014, at Mercy Hospital in Fort Scott. He was born Nov. 25, 1937, in Fort Scott, Kan., the son of Hugh William and Mary Rebecca Neptune Johnson. He graduated from Fort Scott High School with the class of 1955. He served in the United States Army for three years as a photographer. He married Norma Kay Linn on Dec. 29, 1962, in Bronaugh, Mo.

Bernard worked his entire life in farming and ranching and had a great passion for production agriculture. He was a leader in his community, serving as chairman of the Deerfield Cemetery Committee as well as serving on the Vernon County FSA board for many years and more recently as chairman. He also worked for the Fort Scott National Cemetery for 10 years.

Bernard loved people, was a loyal friend and he never met a stranger. His greatest passion was his family and especially his grandchildren, he greatly enjoyed each moment spent with them. He attended Community Christian Church, in Fort Scott.

Survivors include his wife, Kay, of the home; one son, Mark Johnson and wife, Brenda, Orlando, Okla.; two daughters, Lisa Kay Peterson and husband, Jared, Owasso, Okla., and Brenda Johnson-Farmer, Deerfield, Mo.; six grandchildren, Tayler Joseph Peterson, Kaylee Jo Farmer, Rylee Elisabeth Peterson, Hayden Jared Peterson, Sydney Pearl Johnson, and Charley Ries Johnson; one brother, Roy Johnson and wife, Letha, Fort Scott; one sister, Ruth Lowry, Richards, Mo.; and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by two brothers, Olan and J.W. Johnson; a sister, Lois Fritter; as well as his parents.

The Rev. Kevin Moyers will conduct funeral services at 2 p.m., Wednesday, Oct. 29, at the Community Christian Church. Cremation will follow. A private family burial at U.S. National Cemetery will take place at a later date. The family will receive friends from 6 until 8 p.m., Tuesday, at the Cheney Witt Chapel. Memorials are suggested to the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network and may be left in care of the Cheney Witt Chapel, P.O. Box 347, 201 S. Main, Fort Scott, KS. 66701.

Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at www.cheneywitt.com.