Harley Beall Johnson went to his home in Heaven on March 15th, 2022, following a courageous battle with Cancer.  He passed peacefully at his home in Gardner, Kansas.  Harley had been surrounded and cared for by his loving wife Mary, his four sons and their wives, for many weeks prior to his passing.  During his final days, he was made comfortable and loved upon by his family, who shared stories and whispered heartfelt goodbyes to him.

            Harley was born on July 19, 1955 in Phoenix, Arizona to Harley Ford and Ellen Myrline (Beall) Johnson.  He resided in Phoenix until his early 30s.  He later moved to the Greater Kansas City area with his wife Mary and their sons.  In his early childhood he attended Crockett and Squaw Peak Elementary Schools in Phoenix, Arizona.  Harley enjoyed camping with his family, fishing, hunting, eating his favorite foods, and spending time with all his loved ones.  Growing up, he was very active with boy scouts and was even an Eagle Scout. He found a like for playing football, singing in his High School Choir and playing guitar.  He graduated from Camelback High School in 1973.  During his time at Camelback he met and later married his high school sweetheart and love of his life, Mary VanDenBurg, on April 20th, 1974.  Harley worked as a Stationary Engineer and retired from Children’s Mercy Hospital South in Overland Park, Kansas on January 31st, 2022 after almost 27 years of employment. 

            Harley will be remembered for so many things.  He was a follower of Christ, and Harley was also a kind, loving, thoughtful, and giving person.  Harley showed love, respect and grace to everyone he knew and also through his works with Celebrate Recovery.  He and Mary were Leaders in Celebrate Recovery at New Life Community Church in Gardner, Kansas for 9 years.  He had many lifelong friends whom he stayed in touch with over the years.  Even with an increasingly bothersome illness, he never complained about anything.  He did not want to burden his loved ones with the sadness of his illness and likely passing but wanted them to focus on the vibrancy and spirituality of his life.  His spirit remained strong.       

            Harley was preceded in death by his parents and brother Ronald Arnson.  He is survived by his wife Mary Johnson, their four sons, Daniel (Melinda) Johnson, Peculiar, Missouri, Matthew (Casey) Johnson, Gardner, Kansas, Thomas (Sarah) Johnson, Overland Park, Kansas and James (Chelsie) Johnson, Hartsville, Missouri; sisters Rosalie Brown, San Bernardino, California and Linda King, Post Falls, Idaho; nine grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.  Harley will be deeply missed by his family and the many other people he touched in his life.  But he will live on in our hearts and through the many happy, joyful memories he left with us all.

            Harley’s family would be honored if you joined them by attending his Celebration of Life to be held at Grace Baptist Church, 650 East Madison Avenue, Gardner, Kansas on Monday, March 28th, 2022 at 11:00 a.m.  Please feel free to send flowers to Bruce Funeral Home, 106 S. Center, Gardner, Kansas 66030 or the family asks you please consider a donation in his name to Samaritan’s Purse or one of the following local charities: Harvesters or Veteran’s Community Services.  Condolences may be left at www.brucefuneralhome.com