Leonard James JOHNSON

JOHNSON, QUIGLEY, OBERHAUSER, EELLS, MCCONVILLE

Posted By: Sarah Thorson Little (email)
Date: 4/3/2016 at 15:54:43

May 25, 1951 ---- March 27, 2016

Leonard James Johnson, Bucyrus, Kansas, formerly Belmond, Iowa

BUCYRUS, Kan. — Leonard James Johnson, 64, of Bucyrus, Kansas, passed away quietly among family and friends on Sunday, March 27, 2016. Visitation begins at 2 p.m. and funeral services at 3 p.m. on Thursday, March 31, 2016, at Park Lawn Funeral Home, 8251 Hillcrest Road, Kansas City, Missouri; burial in Memorial Park Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be given to the Heart of America Chapter of the Alzheimer's Association.

Len was born on May 25, 1951, to Henry Oden Johnson and Gertrude Quigley Johnson in Belmond, Iowa, the youngest of six. He was an active athlete in high school, including his role as quarterback of their football team. Also in high school, Len attended Boys State. As a high school senior, Len was awarded the Iowa Bar Association Citizenship Award. After college at St. John's University in Minnesota, Len went to Iowa Law School, where he was Editor of the Corporate Law Journal. After graduation in 1977, he became a litigator in Kansas City at Morrison, Hecker, Curtis, Kuder and Parish. He remained with the firm until he retired in 2009.

Len was an able trial attorney, specializing in commercial litigation and products liability. He was lead counsel in lawsuits all over the country involving propane gas and smoke alarms. He was an active member of the Propane Gas Defense Association, participating as an officer and as a presenter at their conferences. Although his litigation practice required a lot of travel, Len was active in the English Speaking Union, for many years organizing the Kansas City metropolitan area high school Shakespeare competitions. He was a founding member of the Heart of America Shakespeare Festival and served as Secretary of their Board.

Len met Jan in an elevator at the law firm, where he gallantly assisted her after her keys fell through a crack in the shaft. Jan was drawn to Len's intellect, his handsome smile and his love of adventure. In their early days together, they played golf and tennis, and traveled throughout the U.S. and Europe. Spending time with Jan, Len too developed a love of horses. Len and Jan rode together with the Mission Valley Hunt. They also enjoyed showing their dogs, and traveled all over the country with their Cardigan Welsh Corgis, Reggie and Lucy.

When their son Alex was born, Len and Jan decided to build their dream home on acreage in southern Johnson County, which became a haven for their family, and for their horses, dogs, and cats. Len was always happiest at home with his family.

Len was passionate about Royals baseball, Chiefs and Iowa football. But, he was a more enthusiastic spectator at Alex's events. He loved to watch Alex play basketball and run cross country. Sitting in the audience watching Alex in a Barstow theater production, Len beamed with pride. Most of all, Len enjoyed watching Alex ride and was proud of his many equestrian accomplishments. Len always radiated the brightest smile each time he spoke to Alex while Alex was at college in Ohio. When Alex returned to Kansas last year, their playful interactions quickly resumed.

Len was an avid reader. He devoured a good mystery, and was a continual student of history and politics. He was always ready to engage in political debate with his friends, especially those in the other party. He believed there was only one kind of music worth listening to and that was jazz. Len's Friday evenings were spent with a very special group of friends playing poker.

Len is survived by his wife Jan and son Alex, and his brothers and sisters MaryEllen Oberhauser, Bette Eells, Jean Ann McConville, Samuel Johnson, and Raymond Johnson, and many nieces and nephews.

Ever the gentleman, Len was kind and loving, with a quick wit that was always followed by his warm smile. He will be missed by family and friends. Arrangements: Park Lawn Funeral Home

Mason City Globe Gazette - Mason City, IA
March 29, 2016