Kenneth Thomas Johnson

Kenneth T. Johnson was born and raised in Detroit into a loving and large Irish family that included an older brother and sister, a younger brother, and many cousins, aunts and uncles that filled his parent’s home with laughter, music and plenty of beer.

He was a popular (but not always studious) student who, nevertheless, charmed both his classmates, and the nuns and Jesuit priests who taught him at St. Mary’s of Redford Elementary School and later, his beloved high school alma mater, University of Detroit. It was there he would meet a group of lifelong friends, who along with their spouses, would form the infamous PotLuck, meeting monthly for more than 50 years with legendary parties.

After graduation, Ken joined the US Army and served in Germany where he was star of the base bowling team – a distinction – he boasted, that got him out of daily drill routines.

Back stateside and attending University of Michigan Dearborn on the GI Bill, he met his beloved wife, Dorothy (Dotty) and the two would not be separated for 65 years. With an accounting degree, he began a nearly 40-year career at Chrysler where he was well respected by all who worked with him.

Ken and Dotty lived in Detroit and Bloomfield Hills before settling into a ranch in Oakland Township with a creek on an acre of land for the next 50 years: with Dotty, their three children, and the Tigers or UM football on TV, he had found his bliss.

Ken was a gentleman and a gentle man. He was uncomplicated and unproblematic, never having a mean word to say about anyone. He had a simple recipe for happiness: family, good friends, a nice meal and a Manhattan or gin and tonic at the ready. He was a wonderful host with a wry sense of humor who had no problem bidding guests goodnight as he headed off to bed while they stayed on.

We know he is mixing drinks in heaven now with family members and friends.

Ken is survived by his wife Dorothy (Kujawa); children Kenneth (Beverly), Mary Gay Broderick (Christopher), and Megan Foster (Bob); grandfather to Mackenzie, Delaney, Tally, Molly and Sophie. He is also survived by his brother Jim (Nancy), and sister-in-laws Cynthia Mihelich and Pat Johnson – and leaves behind many nieces, nephews and cousins. Preceded in death by parents Andrew and Molly, sister Maureen (Norm), and brother John. Church service at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Lake Orion at 11 a.m., Wednesday May 14th.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the National Parks Conservation Association.