Bradford Lynn Johnson

Bradford Lynn Johnson, known to all of us as Brad, was uniquely custom made by God, the baby of six boys. He was the only one with brown eyes. And that was special to his dad because he had brown eyes. On April 6, 1951, his dad carried him through the house in Salina, on a silver platter saying my brown eyed baby boy, this is the most special treatment you will ever get in this life. Brad became the most amazing son, who cared for his dad, Virgil Johnson, and his mom, Ivone Hand, until their passing. At the young age of 19, he joined the USAF and became a husband. Brad married Cheryl Johnson at Sheppard AFB in Wichita Falls, TX (it was the marriage no one thought would last, but God knew it was the perfect match). He was stationed at McConnell AFB in Wichita, KS and was a fuel specialist for the USAF. He became a father to daddy’s girl, Ivone Meyers (named after his mother). Ivone married Kelly Meyers and now resides in Davenport, Florida with their son Taylor. They also have 2 daughters: Tara who lives in Wichita and is getting married the end of November, and Makayla, Brad’s other beautiful granddaughter who lives in Lenexa, KS. Brad also has two beautiful grandchildren, Leelan and Peyton Johnson, who reside in Hutchinson. He was known to all his grandkids as Grand Dad. Brad was not short on brotherly love. He had 5 brothers, Virgil Jr. “Sonny” (deceased), Darwin (deceased), Sherman of Lenexa, KS, Nathan (deceased), and Gaylord of Naples, FL.; they enjoyed life together hunting, fishing in Alaska, and special brother trips that they took throughout the years. Brad worked as a carpet installer for McIntyre Mann Carpets, owned by his brothers, Gaylord Johnson and Sherman Johnson for over 25 years. Brad worked hard and enjoyed life well. His talents included grain elevator painting (Brad’s dad-built grain elevators through the U.S and even some in Egypt), as a Welder for Chance (he always rode the carnival rides he built), machinist for Salina Manufacturing (he had a personal lathe so he could make parts for anyone), scuba diver (early on for Sedgwick County Search and Rescue), Water skier (he taught so many kids to water ski and skied with the Wichita Ski Club for a while), private pilot (he loved to fly, and he would ferry planes for Cessna from and to Wichita early to build his hours), BBQ master (4 Men and A Pig, was a claim to fame, many trophies and awards, even Jack Daniels which is the master of contests), laser engraver (sharing our talents in making over 3500 military and first responder designs), Model A restoration (his 1929 Model A was a prize possession), RV road trips (his RV was his baby; at some of the lakes, he was known as the ice cream man because he would invite all to have homemade ice cream around the camp fire). He was a real jack of all trades and a master of so many. There are hundreds of funny, sweet moments, that go with all these talents. He was ready and able to help anyone in need at any time. From working on a car, to moving someone, and loaning them anything he had, he never knew a stranger. He would say “A stranger is just a friend you haven’t met.” He touched lives well. It was nothing for him to call and bring home 4 to 6 extra guys for dinner. Even as he was so ill, a friend joked with him, he was looking forward to Brad helping him unload the truck…struggling to talk, he said, “I can’t but you can borrow my dollies.” That was Brad - always there for anyone who needed anything. His smile was contagious; his jokes, sort of funny and even sometimes a little bit dirty, but he enjoyed life and shared that joy with all of us. He knew how to be the hands and feet of Jesus. He always said, “Jesus wins, he will either fix me or take me home, but either way I win.” He believed in the Victory of Jesus. He loved well, laughed often, and lived a beautiful life. Visitation will be from 5:00 - 8:00 pm, Friday, November 19, 2021; Funeral Service will be at 11:00 am, Saturday, November 20, 2021, both at Downing & Lahey West Mortuary. Graveside Service will follow at Mt. Hope Cemetery, Mt. Hope, KS.

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