Richard C. Johnson, 83, was born May 4, 1943, at LeRoy, Kan., to Georgia Viesta Cottingham and Theodore Thomas Johnson. He died July 16, 2026. 

He attended LeRoy schools for all 12 years, graduating in 1961. His early years, he worked at a alfalfa mill at Leroy, and for local farmers. He also worked for his dad, helping load cattle, hauling pigs to Kansas City, tand hen hauling coal and sand back to unload. As a young adult, he worked in manufacturing in Kansas City.

He married his high school sweetheart, Ruth Ann Schwindt in 1962. To this marriage, two children were born. His daughter, Brenda Berry and son Rusty Johnson, both of Milton, Kansas.

He went to work at Cessna Aircraft in September of 1963. This career path lead him into assembly, tooling and engineering, retiring in 2002.

Over the years, he enjoyed hunting and fishing trips, camping, boating, motorcycles and dune buggies. He was also an avid reader, and enjoyed spending many years doing research for his family genealogy. He enjoyed living in a small community where he could attend the ballgames and activities of his grandsons while growing up. He also had a green thumb and enjoyed growing his garden and flowers each year. After retirement, he and Ruth enjoyed traveling. He was a Mason, and a member of the Norwich Lions Club. He enjoyed woodworking and made many projects.

He is preceded in death by his father, Theodore Johnson, and his mother, Georgia Johnson, and his siblings, Theodore Johnson, Jr., Viola Anderson, Dorothy Mauer and Dudley Johnson. He is survived by his wife of 65 years, Ruth; daughter, Brenda Berry; son, Rusty Johnson (Patsy); five grandsons, Gage Berry (Katie), Drew Berry (Paige), Jake Johnson (Candice), Reece Johnson (Becca), and Trey Johnson (Alyssa); six great-grandchildren, Riley, Hailey, Rhett, Hayden, and Leighton Johnson, and Gentry Berry; and many lifelong friends, nieces, nephews and cousins.

Funeral service will be 10:30 a.m., Tuesday, July 28, at the Milton Baptist Church. The family will receive friends from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., Monday, July 27, also at the Milton Baptist Church.

Memorials may be made out to the Norwich EMTs and made be mailed to the Livingston Funeral Home, 1830 N. Main, Kingman, KS 67068.