Kenneth I. Johnson, age 88, of Brockton, died peacefully August 11, 2012 under the care of Dr. John Keefe and the supportive and loving medical staff at Southeast Rehabilitation and Skilled Care Center in North Easton, MA and several wonderful people from Hospice Services of Massachusetts. He was the husband of Mary E. (McCormack) Johnson. Born and raised in Negaunee, MI, he was the son of the late Iver and Linnea (Larson) Johnson. Ken was educated in the Ishpeming, MI school system and was a graduate of Michigan Technological University in Houghton, MI, where he received a BS degree in Metallurgical Engineering in 1950. He was employed for many years as a sales engineer for various companies in the United States including Allis-Chalmers, Joy Manufacturing, and the Tennessee Valley Authority. In 1977, the U.S. Patent Office awarded him a patent that involved sieve analysis for the asphalt and sand processing industry. An avid reader, he also enjoyed golf, his Springer Spaniels, bird watching, stamp collecting, and model trains. For many years, he had been a volunteer for the National Alliance for the Mentally Ill, was active in the Republican Party, and had been a delegate at the State Convention.
In addition to his wife Mary, he is survived by his children Christopher Johnson and his wife Linda of West Warwick, RI, Linnea Johnson of Berkley, Thomas Cotton of Brockton and Tracey Featherston and her husband Richard of Whitney, TX; seven grandchildren, Abbey, Andrew, Kevin, Kristina, Steven, Elyse and Mary; and two sisters, Joyce Johnson of Minneapolis and Louise Wunsch, MD of Traverse City, MI. He was the brother of the late Merle Fleck and stepson of the late Emma Johnson.
A Memorial Gathering will be held in the Conley Funeral Home, 138 Belmont Street (Rte 123) Brockton Friday, from 4:00 to -7:00 PM. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Ishpeming Carnegie Public Library, 317 N. Main Street, Ishpeming, MI 49849, for online donations click here or Michigan Technological University, 1400 Townsend Drive, Houghton, MI 49931, click here