Dale Leroy Johnson

Dale Leroy Johnson was born on Sunday, March 8, 1925, in Garnett, Kansas. He was the son of Christian and Versie (Gerdeman) Johnson. Dale lived in Pomona, Kansas, moving to Bonner Springs, Kansas, thirty-three years ago, where he made his home until his death on Friday, February 17, 2006, at the age of eighty years. From 1973 until his retirement in 1990, Dale was the Assistant Superintendent at Smoot Grain Company in Wolcott, Kansas. For many years, prior to his work at the grain elevator, he was a truck driver and heavy equipment operator, working for many companies including National Molasses in Wolcott, and Farmland Industries in Kansas City, Kansas. After retirement in 1990, he was employed at the North Shore Marina at Pomona Lake for several years. Mr. Johnson was a devoted husband, father, and grandfather, who was very proud of his family. He enjoyed their family gatherings and had so much fun teasing all his grandchildren. Dale loved the lake and liked to go fishing, boating, and camping. The children have many wonderful memories of family trips to Pomona Lake where Dale lived the past fifteen years during fishing season. On July 31, 1959, Dale was united in marriage with Joan Hall in Abilene, Kansas. She survives of their home. He is also survived by six daughters, Eldonna Gorden and her husband, Gary, of Mena, Arkansas, Ellen McGrath of Ottawa, Kansas, Cassandra Kimbrell and her husband, John, of Mena, Arkansas, Carol Simmons and her husband, Bob, of Bonner Springs, Kansas, Donna Martin and her husband, Bill, of Kansas City, Kansas, Staci Stroud of Shawnee, Kansas; two sons, Garry Hall and his wife, Sherry, of Independence, Missouri, Alan Sumner and his wife, Amanda, of Bonner Springs, Kansas; sixteen grandchildren; thirty-nine great-grandchildren; and two great-great-grandchildren. Mr. Johnson is preceded in death by his parents; brother, Raymond Johnson; and grandson, Johnny Hall. IN STATE: Mr. Johnson will lie in state at the Dengel & Son Mortuary after 1:00 p.m. Monday to 9:00 p.m. Tuesday where the family will meet with friends from 7:00 to 8:00 Tuesday evening. CEMETERY: There will be an inurnment service held at a later date at Woodlawn Cemetery, Pomona, Kansas. MEMORIALS: The family suggests memorials to the Dale L. Johnson Memorial Fund c/o Dengel & Son Mortuary, 235 S. Hickory, Ottawa, Kansas 66067.