DeVerne Howard Johnson passed away peacefully in his home Monday morning surrounded by family. DJ, as he was known by many, was born in Stromsburg, Nebraska, the 5th child to Theodore and Bernice (Peterson) Johnson. Two more sons followed, making a family of six sons with one sister in the middle. DeVerne grew up on a farm, learning to work hard and be dependable. He carried that work ethic with him throughout his life.
DJ started school at age 4 and graduated high school at 16. Shortly after high school he worked on a hog farm in Colorado with his brother, Roger. He served in the U.S. Army from 1960 to 1962, mainly working as a mechanic on Army equipment. He worked in a machine shop for a few years after his military service. Following that, DeVerne moved to Chicago, IL to work for the airlines, transferring to Worthington, MN and eventually to Kansas City, MO where he retired after 38 years of service.
While living in Chicago, he met his sweetheart, Jeril (Cundiff). They married on September 29, 1973. Ten months later a son was born. Three daughters followed.DJ was a guy who liked playing cards with his family, holding babies, and Nebraska football. He was a selfless man who would help anyone who asked and tried to feed anyone who visited. He'd tell you about sales going on, funny things the grandkids would say or do, and how he fixed one thing or another.
DeVerne was preceded in death by his parents, Ted and Bernice, and his siblings, Merle (Darlene) Johnson, Waldean (Diana) Johnson, Roger (Ella Mae) Johnson, MarVelle Kaltenbach, and Royal (Jill) Johnson.
He is survived by his wife, Jeri, his children, Ross (Michelle) Johnson, Julie (Mitch) Parkinson, Caryn (Chris) Stilwell, Melanie (Atef Mihoub) Halsey, and his grandchildren, Ely Johnson, Roland Johnson, Easton Parkinson, Lynee Parkinson, Druzia Johnson, Willow Parkinson, Olive Parkinson, Ephraim Stilwell, Daisy Parkinson, Reeva Stilwell, Ruby Stilwell, his brother, Arlie (Jane) Johnson, and many nieces and nephews.
Visitation is set for Monday, January 19, 10-11 AM, First Baptist Church of Platte City, 17385 Hwy 371. Services will follow at 11.
Arrangements By: Rollins Funeral Home, Platte City, MO.
