Jerome "Jerry" Kinley Johnson's Obituary
Jerome (Jerry) Kinley Johnson died on February 27, 2025, in Fayetteville, Arkansas. He was preceded in death by his father Kinley Johnson, his mother Gayle (Ramsey) Johnson, his stepmother Janice (Sperry) Johnson, his first wife Pansy Lea (Baker) Johnson, their infant daughter Sonja Gayle Johnson and their son Jerome Kinley (Ken) Johnson, Jr.
He is survived by his wife of 34 and a half years, Carol Ann (Nolen) Johnson, of the home. One granddaughter, Jaimisen Harris, and her husband Creede of Wesley, Arkansas. One grandson, Jordan Johnson, and his wife, Jacki, and two great-grandchildren, all of Fayetteville. One sister-in-law, Mary Jane Nolen Rundel, and her husband, Ken, of Eureka Springs, Arkansas.
Jerome was born in Prairie Grove, Arkansas on September 21, 1934. He graduated from Fayetteville High School, class of 1952. He graduated from the University of Arkansas with a degree in Industrial Engineering, class of 1956. He was employed by Southwestern Bell (now AT&T) from 1956 to 1985 and worked in various locations in Arkansas, as well as Topeka, KS, and St. Louis, MO. He retired as District Manager.
After he retired from Southwestern Bell, he moved back to his home to do what he dreamed of doing for many years, raise beef cattle. He started with his family farm in Wesley, which has been in his family for over 100 years, and his father's farm in Elkins. He purchased two additional farms in Elkins with his wife Carol and was able to achieve his dream of making a decent living as a beef cattle rancher. ‘Riverbend Farms’ was his dream job and at one time owned over 900 acres of farmland with over 500 head of cattle. He enjoyed the outdoors and often said, “it was the closest thing to God. Being in my hay field, in my cab tractor on a beautiful day.” He also said, “my cab tractor is the best office I’ve ever had.”
He enjoyed traveling with his wife Carol in their travel trailer and later in their 5th wheel all over the United States, including 24 National Parks. They also enjoyed trips to Hawaii, Canada, Mexico, and went on several cruises. Jerry and Carol loved attending U of A football, baseball and men’s basketball games. He enjoyed watching St. Louis Cardinals baseball, but his favorite professional team was the Kansas City Chiefs and Patrick Mahomes. He also was an excellent craftsman, loved working with wood and could repair almost anything.
Jerome was a member of the professional engineering fraternity Theta Tau. He was also a member of the Central United Methodist Church in Fayetteville.
In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made in this memory to the Willard Walker Hospice Home, 325 E. Longview St., Fayetteville, AR 72703.
Visitation will be at Moore’s Chapel on Monday, March 3rd from 5 pm to 7 pm. Funeral services will be at Moore’s Chapel on Tuesday, March 4th at 10 am. Burial will be immediately following at Fairview Memorial Gardens.
To place an online tribute, please visit www.bernafuneralhomes.com
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