Kenneth Edward Johnson

Born: October 12, 1941; in Sandwich, IL

Died: January 27, 2020; in Tempe, AZ

Kenneth Edward Johnson — simply known to his family and friends as "Ed" — was born October 12, 1941 in Sandwich, IL.

Surrounded by his family, Ed peacefully passed away on January 27, 2020 from brain cancer at Hospice of the Valley in Tempe, AZ.

The son of Kenny and Etta Mae Johnson, Ed grew up on a small farm outside of Sheridan, IL — a rural town in which the Johnsons would later move, and where Ed, along with his wife Rose and soon their children, Darin and Wendy, would make their home. While residing in Sheridan, Ed served as the town's treasurer, on Sheridan's Bicentennial Committee, and through the 1970s and 1980s, played drums in the popular country western band, The Mission Township Muleskinners. In 1984, the Johnsons moved to Somonauk, IL where Ed and Rose resided until they retired to Scottsdale and finally Mesa, AZ.

Ed began his storied 37-year teaching and coaching career at Rutland Grade School. In 1971, he joined the teaching staff at Serena High School (SHS) where he taught physical education and health, and coached Serena's junior varsity boys' basketball team. Ed is best known for introducing the girls' basketball program at SHS in 1980 for which he was later inducted into the Illinois Basketball Coaches Association Hall of Fame. As former SHS basketball player Amanda Orsburn said upon Coach Johnson's retirement in 2000 — the same year he led his team to the Little Ten Conference title, "Ed Johnson is Serena Lady Huskers basketball."

"Ed loved the game of basketball. He studied it, coached it and lived it. And when the opportunity presented itself, Ed championed women's athletics, and was instrumental in their rise to acceptance," said Emmert Dannenberg, former Assistant Superintendent of Community Unit School District No. 2. "Ed was a great coach because he was a great teacher. He loved coaching and teaching, but he loved his students and players even more. Ed understood that when the game was over — win or lose, his actions were the road map for his players' futures, and he knew that was more important than anything else he could do for them. Even in defeat, Ed always found victory."

Ed shared many passions throughout his life, including woodworking, watching old-time westerns, tending to his vegetable garden, taking family vacations, listening to country and bluegrass music, playing pickleball, going country dancing with Rose, attending the annual Sandwich Fair, and spending time with his granddaughter, Naysa.

Ed is survived by Rose, his wife of 52 years; son Darin and husband Greg Keffer of New York, NY; daughter Wendy and granddaughter Naysa of Phoenix, AZ; brother Michael and sister-in-law Jodi of Dekalb, IL; brother Dan and sister-in-law Karen Corsini of Vista, CA; sister Sallie Head of Mesa, AZ; several beloved nieces, nephews and cousins; and three grand dogs Daisy, Cubbie and Nova. Ed was preceded in death by his parents Kenneth Leroy and Etta Mae Johnson, brother-in-law Richard Head, and aunt Gail Matison.

Honorary pallbearers are Dwight Arneson, Joyce Bernard, Howard Buckle, Ron Clemens, Bob Cole, Emmert Dannenberg, Paul Finley, Lloyd Lange, Don Lawyer, Louie Massette, Ron Reed (posthumous), Charlie Scott, Larry Sebby, Al Stegman (posthumous), Wes Thompson (posthumous) and Pat Watkins.

A celebration of Ed's life will take place in Illinois on Saturday, April 11, 2020 with details to be shared online and in Ottawa's The Times.