Kenneth W. Johnson

Kenneth Waldo Johnson, 87, of St. Petersburg, FL, passed away August 26, 2024.

A celebration of his life will take place at 2 PM ET on Saturday, January 18, 2025 at First Baptist Church, 1900 Gandy Blvd. N., St. Petersburg, FL 33702. For those who would like to attend virtually, the service will be available via livestream at: https://youtube.com/live/au1u2-_au7Q

Born in Chicago, Kenneth was a 1954 graduate of Hirsch High School, received a B.A. in Liberal Arts & Sciences from the University of Illinois in 1959, and an M.S. in International Affairs from George Washington University in 1970. 

He served for more than 30 years in the U.S. Marine Corps, retiring in 1991 at the rank of Colonel, having served in both Vietnam and the Gulf War. 

Thereafter, he embarked on a second career in teaching, at The Canterbury School of Florida, where he impacted the lives of countless students, and where he and his wife Patricia, also a teacher, were privileged to know fellow faculty as some of their dearest friends. He taught for more than 25 years, retiring (a second time) in 2018. 

He was a life-long member of Trinity Evangelical Covenant Church, in Oak Lawn, Illinois. 

He was predeceased by his wife of 47 years, Patricia Young Johnson, in 2014. He is survived by his brother, Carl W. Johnson, of Berkeley, CA; his daughters, Kathryn Glass (John), of Martin, TN, and Elizabeth Johnson (Michael O'Connor, Jr.), of Grosse Pointe Shores, MI; and seven cherished grandchildren, Hannah Glass, Sarah Katherine Glass, Virginia Glass, Caroline Glass, John Glass IV, Andrew Glass, and Henry Glass. 

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Kenneth's name to The Canterbury School of Florida. 

Arrangements entrusted to Pike Funeral and Cremation Services, Boyd Chapel. 9191 Red Arrow Hwy, Bridgman MI.