Ira Frank Johnson Obituary

February 6, 1928 - November 11, 2007

Ira Frank Johnson, of Matfield Green, Kansas, was the son of Ira Earl and Lucille Faye Richards Johnson. He was born February 6, 1928 in Greenwood County, Kansas. He and Patsy J. Archer were married July 12, 1953, in Cottonwood Falls, Kansas.

He was a retired U.S. Army veteran, having served in the Army for over 20 years. He enlisted in the Army in 1947 and served in both the Korean War and the Viet Nam War. He was a crew chief on twin-rotor helicopters during the time he served in Viet Nam and also afterwards. While stationed in Viet Nam in 1966, he received a commendation for service above and beyond the call of duty for carrying out a mission involving the NASA Astronaut Program. During his military service, he and Patsy lived in many places in the United States.

After his retirement from the military, Frank worked for the Chase County Road and Bridge Department as a road grader. For the greater part of twenty four years he served as a postal service contractor. He would pick up mail from the drop-off point and deliver it to the Post Offices in Cottonwood Falls, Cassoday, and Burns. He was a mechanic and could fix almost anything. In his spare time he farmed for various neighbors and also conducted a haying operation. He and Patsy enjoyed dancing together in various surrounding towns. He was a member of the V.F.W.
Frank died Sunday, November 11, 2007, at the age of 79 at the Golden Living Center of Chase County in Cottonwood Falls.

He is survived by his wife, Patsy, of the home; a son, Cecil Johnson of Matfield Green, KS.; a sister, Inez Irene Buckley of Pueblo, CO.; three grandchildren: Rebecca Lea Johnson, Rachael Lynn Belvin, and David Carl Johnson; and four great grandchildren: Lucille Edytha Johnson, Kyle James Roach, Caitlin Betty-Jane Roach, and Dustin Ty Belvin. He was preceded in death by his parents and a sister, Lucille Macom.

A Memorial Service was conducted at 11:00 AM Thursday, November 15 at Matfield Green Community Church, with James T. Bartsch, Pastor of Flint Hills Community Church, Cottonwood Falls, KS, officiating. Arrangements were made by Brown-Bennett-Alexander Funeral Home. Following the service, there was a Grave-Side service at Matfield Green Cemetery with military honors by a Fort Riley Honor Guard. Memorial contributions to the Matfield Community Church may be sent in care of Brown-Bennett-Alexander Funeral Home, 201 Cherry, Cottonwood Falls, Kansas 66845. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.brown-bennett-alexander.com.

Compliments of Flint Hills Community Church, Cottonwood Falls, KS.

Posted November 15, 2007