Harlan Johnson

Harlan Lee Johnson age 88 of Osawatomie, passed away Thursday at the Olathe Medical Center.Services will be Tuesday Sept. 29th at 11:00 AM with visitation Mon 6 to 8:00 PM Penwell-Gabel Paola Chapel, burial Osawatomie Cemetery. To leave condolences go to penwellgabelpaola.com Harlan was born on Aug. 4, 1921 in Farlinville KS. to Richard and Martha Eyre Johnson. As a young youth he worked on a farm and in the CCC in South Dakota, until moving to St. Louis to work at his brother Leon's service station from 1940 to 1942. Also in 1942 he attended and completed auto mechanics school in Baltimore, Md. before entering the Army. He was in the Army between 1942 and 1945 with the 149th Ordinance Motor Vehicle Company, serving in North Africa, Italy, France and Germany. He was Honorably Discharged in 1945 as a Tech 5. Following the service he served in the Kansas National Guard in Battery C 127th, being Honorably Discharged in 1952. After the Army he worked in Osawatomie for the Missouri Pacific, road construction in Colorado before starting a career as a truck driver in Osawatomie for Kenneth R. Johnson oil well supplies, retiring in 1983 after 34 years. Harlan was united in marriage on m October 19th, 1945 In Olathe, Kansas. His hobbies included woodworking and working with his hands. He was a Nascar fan and also a Chiefs and Royals fan. He enjoyed traveling to different places and attending races. He also enjoyed spending time with family and friends. Especialy riding his motorcycle on road trips with his brothers. Harlan was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, Merna, one son Harlan Larry, two brothers, Irvin and Leon. Survivors include his son, Randy and his wife, Rose Johnson of Osawatomie, his daughter, Penny Sommer and her husband Stephen of Garnett, and daughter-in-law, Helen Johnson of Pomona. Also surviving are nine grandchildren, sixteen great grandchildren and one great, great grandchild. Other family members surviving include his sister, June Schulz of Rantoul, and two brothers, Marvin Johnson of Wellsville and Olan Johnson of Dunnegan, Mo.