Kenneth Leroy Johnson

KENNETH LEROY JOHNSON

In Loving Memory of Ken Johnson
October 3, 1937 – March 1, 2025

It is with great sadness, that we announce the death of Ken Johnson on March 1, 2025, at the age of eighty-seven. Ken was born on October 3, 1937, in Canon City, Colorado, to Eva and Perry Johnson. The family moved to Pueblo when Ken was 10 years old and he grew up in Pueblo, attending Pueblo schools—Risley MS and Centennial HS. He moved to Denver as a young adult, returning to Pueblo with his wife Diane following both their retirements. From an early age, Ken knew the value of friendship and learned to appreciate the importance of independence, self-reliance, and perseverance. These qualities served him well throughout his life.
In 1960, Ken enlisted in the Colorado Air National Guard, serving as an Air Traffic Controller at Buckley Air National Guard Base, in both military and civilian positions, until 1974. During these years, Ken and a close friend Don Arneson spent weekends and days off renovating houses for fun and wrangling horses on a friend’s dude ranch in Foxton CO. Also, during this time, Ken met and married his wife Diane Delaney, who had recently returned to the United States, from Southeast Asia, to finish college. Together they pursued their careers; continued to explore the city of Denver–buying, renovating, and selling homes together throughout the city; actively supporting select political and civic initiatives such as the DIA Airport project, the Denver Public Schools City Life Ball, and various city events; traveling the world; raising many pets; and enjoying and engaging with family and friends.
In 1972, Ken graduated from, what was then Metropolitan State College of Denver, with a double major in History and English. While pondering what to do with his newly minted degree, an acquaintance suggested he consider the world of Real Estate. He agreed to look into the idea and found that his experience renovating homes, his own personal curiosity about houses, and his love and knowledge of the Denver community and its history made him a natural for the job. He received his Agent License in 1979 and his Managing Broker License in 1981. Ken would stay in this profession until he retired in 2016.
Ken jumped into the new career with gusto—he enjoyed helping people find their perfect home or helping them to sell the one they had so that they could move on. He joined the Denver Metropolitan Association of Realtors, became a Life Member and officer of the Denver Builder/Reality Council, and served for four years as Director of Public Relations and Communications for the Denver Board of Realtors. The latter position gave him the opportunity to combine his considerable writing skills with his knowledge of Denver history and Real Estate as managing editor of The Denver Realtor News, a magazine published monthly by the Denver Board of Realtors. He also had creative freedom to produce other public relations pieces as needed which resulted in the unique and sought-after series , Denver Neighborhood Books.
When it came time to retire from his second career, and after much thought and soul-searching, the decision was made that a smaller setting would be a more comfortable, compatible way to live now, so the Johnsons moved back to Pueblo. Many cities had been considered but Ken wanted to remain in Colorado and with Pueblo’s many resources, it seemed like the perfect spot. Again, Ken jumped in feet first: joined the Pueblo Historical Society (at last something that fit his degree) and the Pueblo Weisbrod Aircraft Museum, among others. Each of these organizations provided interesting, worthwhile projects to be involved in and led to some warm, lasting relationships. In retirement Ken enjoyed interacting with friends and family, the occasional trip to Denver, working with various organizations and projects in Pueblo, spoiling his two little rescue dogs, listening to music (The house was filled always with music.), and best of all, spending time reteaching himself to play the piano on the vintage Baby Grand Piano that he had wanted all his life and finally acquired.
Ken Johnson lived his life to the fullest. He enjoyed his two careers; loved his family, friends, and pets dearly; and appreciated the many interesting and creative people whose paths crossed his.
Ken was preceded in death by his parents, Eva and Perry Johnson; his older brother, Al Johnson; and his sister-in-law, Dorothy Johnson Fees; his nephew, Kenneth Johnson (Darla); his sister-in-law, Donna Delaney Zepecki; and Diane’s parents, John and Mary Delaney.
He is survived by his nieces, Karen Kraxberger (Steve) and Kathy Bellmen (Byron), who loved their Uncle Ken dearly and who were loved greatly in return.
He is also survived by numerous cousins on the Delaney side of the family, who, when he was first introduced into the family, welcomed him with such warmth and friendship that he was forever grateful .
And, finally, he is survived by his wife, Diane and their two bad but very lovable little dogs, Willy and Woody.

Diane D. Johnson