Kenneth Lee Johnson

Kenneth Lee Johnson, age 69, passed away on December 4, 2025, in Memphis, Tennessee, at Methodist Hospice Residence, after his unexpected battle with a rare and fast-growing lymphoma that came on suddenly and rendered him a quadriplegic for the duration of that battle.

Ken was born in St. Louis, Missouri to Wayland Van Avery Johnson, SR., and Cadis Evangeline Hook Johnson. He grew up in Hillsboro, Missouri, with his three brothers Wayland, Randy & Doug.

In 1961, his family moved to New Albany, Mississippi. Ken graduated from W.P Daniel High School in New Albany in 1974. He then went to college at Northeast Mississippi Junior College and afterwards attended The University of Mississippi in Oxford, where he graduated with honors from the School of Accountancy in 1979, and went on to complete his CPA certification.

After graduation, he moved to Memphis, Tennessee to begin work with the then Rhea & Ivy CPA firm (now known as FORVIS), eventually becoming a partner, and stayed with this firm until his retirement in 2016.

Ken met his future wife, Caroline Bock, at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church in Tupelo, Mississippi where they attended church together for years before running into each other again in Memphis in October of 1986, after she had moved there for work, whereafter they began dating. They were married soon after, on July 18, 1987, in Tupelo, and went on to have four beautiful children. This past July, they celebrated 38 years of marriage.

Ken loved camping, traveling to national parks, and spending time with his family. He was an avid Ole Miss fan and loved Rebels’ football, keeping up with every game even during his illness. He and Nolan, their son with Down syndrome, had a special bonding in their love for Ole Miss with days when they wore matching clothing. While he had always loved woodworking, he spent much more of his free time after his retirement building incredible furniture and other items from scratch, and refinishing antiques for family members.

Ken was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, comrade and man of faith, who loved and supported his family and was a friend to anyone who knew him. His presence will be sorely missed.

In addition to his wife and brothers, Ken leaves behind four children (Ryan Everett Johnson, 35, Tyler Scott Johnson, 33, Meredith Amber Reynolds (Cameron), 28, Nolan Kent Johnson, 24, his granddaughters, Madelyn Lee Reynolds (age 4) and Palmer Rose Reynolds (3 weeks old), as well as his sisters-in-law, nephews and nieces.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Wayland and Cadis Johnson, and younger brother Doug.

A Celebration of Life service for Ken will be held Saturday, December 13th, at Christ the King Lutheran Church, 5296 Park Avenue, in Memphis, Tennessee, with visitation from 12 Noon until 2PM, and the service beginning at 2PM, with reception to follow.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you consider a donation to Christ the King Lutheran Church, their church home for 35 years, or to the Down Syndrome Association of Memphis & the Mid-South, whom the family has supported, worked with and volunteered for, for many years, and will continue to do so.