Lyle Ray Johnson

Lyle Ray Johnson, 88, of Wichita, KS passed away Wednesday, April 30, 2025. He was born May 31, 1936, in Battle Creek, MI to Robert H. Johnson and Julia (Hoyt) Johnson. Lyle and his twin sister, Lila, were the sixth and seventh born of nine children. Lyle loved the great outdoors. He trained and campaigned Brittany hunting dogs for 42 years. He owned and operated Grouse Creek Kennels and Hunting Lodge in Cambridge, KS with his beloved wife, Marge. They traveled together to field trials all over the country. In 2019, Lyle was inducted into the Brittany Field Trial Hall of Fame. He trained 13 National Champions, 30 American Field Champions, 97 American Kennel Club Field Champions and was the handler of 11 Hall of Fame dogs. Lyle spent much of his retirement fishing, bowling and playing golf and tennis. If you asked him, or even if you didn't, he would tell you he was good at all of those things. He loved to tell fish tales and had so many jokes and stories to share from his years of life. He was preceded in death by four brothers (Laverne, Larry, Marvin and Robert) along with two sisters (Bessie and Bonnie). He is survived by his loving wife of 57 years, Marge, two sisters, Lila Latham of Battle Creek, MI and Sylvia Parmelee of Fort Pierce, FL, two sons, Scott Johnson of Winfield, KS and Steve Johnson of Aurora, CO, daughter Beth Nordick of Park City, KS, stepdaughter Pam Bowman of Phoenix, AZ, stepson Harold Butterfield of Columbia, MO, nine grandchildren and eleven great grandchildren. Lyle will be laid to rest in Cambridge, KS. There will not be a funeral, only a graveside service for the family. Arrangements handled by Downing & Lahey West Mortuary.