Kenneth Houston Johnson Sr.

Famous saying “Out of Sight”

Kenneth Johnson was born on July 1, 1941 in Portland, Oregon. He is the son of Mr. Morris (Jones) Johnson of Muskogee, OK and Mrs. Frankie Mae Hamilton Johnson of Pueblo, Colorado.

Kenneth attended elementary and high school and graduated from Oregon State University in Corvallis, Oregon.

Ken enlisted in the United States Army in Portland, Oregon in 1959 and was stationed at Fort Bragg, North Carolina where he was a Paratrooper in the 82nd Airborne Division.
In 1960, Ken Married Juanita Johnson. The family includes four children: Tina Marie, Kenneth H. Jr., Morris Edward (deceased) and Anthony (Tony) Lee Johnson. At an early age, the children were baptized by Reverend O.B. Williams at Vancouver First Baptist Church in Portland, Oregon. They attended the Black education school under direction of Mr. Ron Herndon and various other elementary schools and graduated from Jefferson high school. Their careers are in the areas of family, automotive, health services, military and religion. Later, the young adults married and blessed the family with eighteen grandchildren, twenty three great grandchildren and three great-great grandchildren.

Ken Sr. is a professional percussionist. He has always had a great love for music. Highlights of his music career include:

The “Jim McCowan Trio”, they toured the country from the Northwest to the Southeast.

In the late 1960’s drummer for “Billie Larkin and The Delegates”. They played gigs at the famous “Cotton Club” which was located on N. Vancouver Avenue in Portland, Oregon.

Drummer for metro MGM actor Johnny Ray and his big band and concert at the Amatos Club in Portland, Oregon.

Recorded at United Artist Studio at Sunset Boulevard, California.
Studied drums and music with Paul Chambers, Bass; Wynton Kelley, great jazz pianist: Jimmy Cobb, drummer: Miles Davis Quartet; Cannonball Adderley, saxophonist: Joe Zqamfut and Louis Hays; Jerry Winter and Paul Black Trio in Aspen, Colorado.

Additionally, Mr. Johnson’s work career included:
Early 1970’s, the Portland Metropolitan Steering Committee’s Concentrated Employment Program.
1980’s Pathologist Assistant, Emanuel Legacy Hospital.
1990’s Pathologist Assistant for the Oregon State Medical Examiner’s Office in Portland, Oregon.

Mr. Johnson retired his employment with the Oregon State Medical Examiner’s Office in 1999 and is exploring the computer world.

Preceding Ken’s death: Parents: Mr. Morris Johnson and Mrs. Frankie May Hamilton Johnson: sister(s): Mrs. Melva Dennis; Mrs. Leola Moore; Mrs. Irene DuBoise and brother, Mr. Elmer Johnson; and daughter-in-law, Mrs. Tonya Johnson.

Survivors: 3 sons-Mr. Kenneth Huston Johnson Jr. (Loretta); Mr. Anthony Lee (Tony) Johnson (Tonya), Mr. Kenneth Craig Johnson (Jane) and stepdaughter Mrs. Tina M. Williams (Joe), a former wife, Mrs. Juanita Johnson Biggs; sister-in-law Mrs. Maurice Johnson; and a host of nieces, nephews, grandchildren, great grandchildren, great-great grandchildren and friends.

From the Johnson/Biggs Family:
We Are Very Appreciative of Your Love and Kindness

Psalms 8
O Lord our Lord, how excellent is thy name in all the earth! Who hast set thy glory above the heavens.