Walter K. Johnson

Walter Kelman (Kelly) Johnson of Grand Prairie, TX. was called home to be with The Lord April 26, 2014 in Granbury, Texas. Funeral service is set for Friday, May 2, 2014 at 1:00 P.M. at First Baptist Church, Grand Prairie, Tx with Dr. Bill Skaar officiating. Visitation will be held on Thursday evening, May 1st from 6:00 - 8:00 P.M. at Bean Massey Funeral Home 2951 S. Belt Line Rd. in Grand Prairie, TX. Mr. Johnson was born in Brownwood, Texas in 1929. He is preceded in death by his parents Walter Mack Johnson and Ruby Bell Johnson. After graduating from Brownwood High School in 1946, he attended the University of Texas in Austin before being drafted into the Army during the Korean War. He served in the Army for 4 years and became a Second Lieutenant. During his life he worked as a salesman for Long Furniture Company and retired from the Dallas County Central Appraisal District in 2001. He met Ann Clonts while in Grand Prairie and they were married in 1954. They attended the First Baptist Church in Grand Prairie where Kelly was a member of the Church choir and enjoyed singing. He started a barbershop quartet with the guys at the furniture store called "The Warehouse Four" and barbershop singing became his passion in life. He joined the Golden Triangle Chorus in Grand Prairie which later became The Arlington Good Times Chorus. He served The Arlington Good Times Chorus in many capacities over the years and was very active in the Society for the Preservation and Encouragement of Barbershop Quarter Singing of America (SPEBSQSA), now called Barbershop Harmony Society. The society supported the American Laugopedics Society and their mission statement was "We sing so that they may speak." He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Ann Johnson of Grand Prairie, Texas; daughter Stefani Kroschel and husband Mark of Granbury, Texas; son, Ken Johnson and wife Jane of Mansfield, Texas. His grandchildren include Jessica Johnson Laskaris and husband Athan, Clay Kroschel, Kyle Johnson, and Austin Kroschel. Other survivors include sister, Lora Bell Cleveland and husband Buster; sister and brother in law Mary and Bill Brown of Mabank, TX along with numerous cousins, nephews and nieces in the DFW area. Memorials may be made to Harmony Foundation International, Nashville, TN at www.harmonyfoundation.org or a charity of preference.