Ken Johnson Tribute Page
NOTICE OF MEMORIAL/CELEBRATION OF LIFE SERVICE
Memorial Service Honoring Ken Johnson (May 5, 1945 - October 5, 2022) on Sunday, October 23, 2022 - 2pm CDT at the
Dothan Cultural Arts Center (Banquet Hall)
909 S St Andrews St, Dothan, AL 36301
For more information, contact Jeneve (Jenny) Brooks (917)330-1906.
Indoors event. Masks preferred/optional.
Food, friendship, stories, and live music to follow on premise.
This service will be livestreamed on the Spiritual Enrichment Center of Dothan's Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/SECdothan .
Facebook Event Page:
https://www.facebook.com/events/1453694858374456
Please select the GOING option if you are planning on attending for a better estimation for food preparation.
ORDER OF SERVICE
· Welcome and Opening Prayer - Rev. Audri Scott Williams, Spiritual Director (Spiritual Enrichment Center)
· Starting Unity of Dothan - Rev. Glenda Davis, Minister Emeritus (Spiritual Enrichment Center)
· Founding the Wiregrass Blues Society - Gil Anthony, DJ for Blues Power Radio (Wiregrass Blues Society)
· Reading from a Course in Miracles - Jeneve Brooks (Spiritual Enrichment Center/Wiregrass Blues Society)
· "Amazing Grace" - Nancy Kopko was the singer, David Adkins on Keyboards, and Greg Davis on guitar.
· Open Call for Personal Reflections
· Closing Prayer - Rev. Audri Scott Williams, Spiritual Director (Spiritual Enrichment Center)
· Please stay for the after party to celebrate Ken's life - featuring great live blues music and food!
Oddly Enough Band:
Nancy Kopko - Singer
Robert Sparks - Bass
Greg Davis - Guitar
Charles Rivers - Drums
w/ jammers:
John Seals - Drummer
David Adkins - Keyboards
Debbie Bond - Guitar and Vocals
Rick Asherson - Harmonica
OBITUARY
Kenneth (Ken) Andrew Johnson, (May 5, 1945 - October 5, 2022) of Dothan, Alabama and Key Largo, Florida passed comfortably at Gulf Breeze Hospital in Gulf Breeze, Florida on Wednesday, October 5, 2022 in the evening of heart-related issues.
Ken was born in Dothan, AL and graduated from Dothan High School in 1963. During high school he was in the National Guard and continued serving in the Guard after graduation until enlisting later that year when he joined the Army in an administration position. In 1965 he was sent to Vietnam. On March 14, 1967 Ken was transferred to Germany and was there for two years before being discharged. Ken returned to Alabama and married Gilla, and they had one daughter, Janis, on February 17, 1971. Ken is survived by his brother Doug (Linda) Johnson, his daughter, Janis (Timothy) Martin and her children; Jessica Davis, Thomas (Lindsey) Yaeger, Ashley Yeager and Robert Yaeger, and great-grandchildren Braydin Smith, Riley Kate Yaeger, Caroline Yaeger, Alexi Cruz.
Ken was a community builder wherever he went and his vocation was communication through radio, journalism, and photography. He combined his love of art, spirituality and music in words and action. He founded the Unity Church of Dothan in the early 1990s which later became the Spiritual Enrichment Center. His involvement included serving as the Church Board President for two terms.
He was also a tireless supporter of live music in Dothan, creating the "Oh Boy Music" Facebook community page which still promotes local bands' shows in the region and has expanded to other states. Ken also started a weekly blues jam in Dothan and later founded the Wiregrass Blues Society (WBS) in 2013 that produces the Wiregrass Blues Festival. Shortly after its inception, he moved to Mobile and frequently spent time in Pensacola Beach at the Paradise Inn, supporting live music there. Yet, he returned often to Dothan, attending the annual Wiregrass Blues Fest every Spring. He was proud that an organization he started went on to touch thousands of lives—conducting free Blues in Schools programs for over 10,000 children in the Wiregrass and donating thousands of dollars to local schools for music instruction and instruments. The next Wiregrass Blues Fest - scheduled for March 25, 2023 at The Plant in Dothan - will be the tenth festival to bring local, regional, national, and international performers together to perform for the community.
Ken was also very open about his path to sobriety and was active in Alcoholics Anonymous, sponsoring countless people in their recovery. He also worked for years as a Substance Abuse Counselor, providing support and compassion to his clients.
In the last few years of his life, Ken lived a simple, non-materialistic life on his own terms. He was also a leader in the ‘van life’ lifestyle, converting a commercial vehicle into a livable space, installing solar panels on its roof and relocating to Key Largo.
Wherever Ken went, he made friends! He was usually found at breakfast places from Key West to New Orleans where he enjoyed coffee and conversation and made inspirational Facebook posts from his "office." A favorite Key Largo breakfast haunt even has a table dedicated to his memory. And when he was not situated in Key Largo, he was on the road to attend various live music shows, often driving hundreds of miles to support his friends.
Memorial gifts to the family will be used for final expenses that need to be covered. Any remaining balance will be used to further memorialize Ken through donations to causes that the family determines would be meaningful to Ken as he left no directives. Direct PayPal gifts to his daughter, Janis Yaeger, at Yeager.Janis71@gmail.com.
Memorial and sympathy cards by U.S. Mail addressed to:
Family of Ken Johnson
1001 Citadel Ave
Dothan, AL 36301
Please be sure to include name and contact mailing address in all gifts.
Memorial photos and comments can be posted to Ken’s Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/citizenKenBlues
MUSIC COMMUNITY EULOGY
By Tim Fik, Ph.D and Bridget Kelly Fik
Ken Johnson was a bright shining light who touched people deeply everywhere he went. He was a blues music super-fan, a gentle soul, who loved music and more importantly loved the people who shared their talents with him. He was very supportive of musicians and would often travel long hours and many miles to see their shows. Ken Johnson was a pillar of the blues community whose spirit represented the joy that music brings. Ken was a free spirit who rambled down the blues road with an insatiable wanderlust, seizing the eternal moment and embracing every new friend as family. Ken was a man of honor and was true to his word. He was filled with positivity and would dim if anyone near him wasn't. He was a man of faith and a teacher. Ken had an infectious smile, and his laughter was medicine for the soul. He listened intently to all and would have wisdom to solve any problem. His laughter and twinkling eyes flashed with knowing. Nodding, eyes closed, listening to a song he would hear the notes until he was one with the music. Ken was an avid photographer who was able to capture the world in his light through his beautiful perspective. Ken could rock an authentic Hawaiian shirt like no one else. He had a love for Thai cuisine and was a voracious reader enjoying historical, spiritual, or educational reads only, no fiction. Ken had a heart of gold and would help anyone who needed it. He enjoyed walking, connecting to Spirit in solitude while navigating many labyrinths. Ken never hurried and understood the pace of the universe. He took time to observe the beauty of life and enjoy a great breakfast! Ken was the first to show up, and the last one to leave. He cared beyond measure and was loved by all.
References:
Ken Johnson Memorial Video (5 minutes, sound track): https://youtu.be/jrBfMpJAstg
Ken Johnson Memorial Service Live Stream Page, 2pm central 10/23/22: https://www.facebook.com/SECdothan
Ken Johnson Memorial Video (23 minutes, no sound track): https://youtu.be/IRDirIB-0Yg
Ken Johnson FB page - post your pics and memorials here: https://www.facebook.com/citizenKenBlues
Ken Johnson Tribute Page (in process): https://www.jazzbluesflorida.com/kenjohnson
