Kenneth Edward Johnson
Kenneth Edward Johnson born in Grand Junction March 13, 1933 to Helen Young Johnson and James Bennett Johnson died in Cotuit, Massachusetts at age 92.
Visiting Nurses of Cape Cod helped keep him as comfortable as possible in recent weeks and are greatly appreciated.
He is survived by his wife of 40 years Rose Marie (Rhodie) Johnson (as well as his 1st wife Betty, mother of his 4 children), four children - Thom Johnson, Caryn Crague, Bryan Johnson, Derek Johnson, 11 grandchildren, 5 great-grandchildren, and 1 great-great grandchild.
Ken worked his way up from paperboy to Publisher of the GJ Daily Sentinel, was publisher of several other newspapers in Colorado and California. As publisher of the Sentinel he continually updated equipment, kept the paper up with the times as technology changed, won National awards. He was a constant presence at Colorado Press Association conferences and meetings.
He was quite the sports car buff (and racing fan), serving as President of the Sports Car Club of America (SCCA) in 1963, winning numerous rally trophies in a collection of cars from MGs to Porsches to a Siata. He and his 1st wife (Betty) won the Trek of the Four Winds rally 3 times in a row - 1956, 1960, 1964.
Publisher/creator of the Arabian Horse Journal he also raised and bred Arabian horses with partners for many years, including Mike Nichols. He and Rhodie owned the 1st Arabian World Champion from the US named Engano.
A published author of several books of Colorado history, he owned the Redstone Castle (Cleveholm Manor) from 1974 to 2000, restoring it to its grandeur as built in the 1890's. He learned how to fly helicopters, created Redstone Helicopters, and flew many executives from Walker Field to Redstone or other Western Slope destinations.
One of the co-founders of Club 20 he was instrumental in getting the Western Slope a seat at the legislative table in Colorado for ranchers, farmers, miners, oil & gas companies.
Serving in the Army National Guard for 14 years (artillery) he was an expert marksman, resigning his 1st Lieutenant commission in 1964.
One of many passions, rafting the Western US whitewater rivers in rubber rafts was a real pleasure for him. At one time he was rated to run an 8-man raft solo through Class V rapids. Numerous rafting trips on the San Juan River in Utah (Blanding to Mexican Hat) were at least an annual event for many years.
Newspaperman, river rat, race car driver, photographer, skier, scuba diver, mechanic, cattleman, developer, builder, helicopter pilot, dog lover, etc. - his life was well-lived.