Dr. Kenneth “Ken” W. Johnson, 75 of Decatur, passed away on Saturday morning, October 10, 2026, at Ossian Health & Rehab Center.
Ken was born on June 12, 1951, in Bowling Green, Ohio to Harry William and Lucille (Baker) Johnson. He graduated from Bowling Green High School in 1969. He furthered his education for one year at Bowling Green University before attending Berklee Music College in Boston, MA, where he received a degree in Theory and Composition. He went on to The University of Colorado, in Boulder, CO. to receive his Doctorate degree in Music specializing in Theory and Composition. Ken was a professor in Music at Colorado Christian College in Denver, CO., Taylor University in Fort Wayne and retired from Purdue Fort Wayne in 2018. Ken had guitar students throughout his career whom he enjoyed teaching and watching them grow musically. In the summers, he painted many homes.
A talented musician, Ken enjoyed playing in many venues and for many churches. He played lead guitar for The Chapel worship team, where he assisted in arranging music for the singers and orchestra. He was a featured guitar soloist for events such as the Christmas programs at The Chapel. While at Taylor University, Ken arranged the music for the orchestra and performed guitar music on a CD. He was the lead guitarist for the Faculty Jazz at PFW in Fort Wayne. This group composed original jazz music for concerts at the college twice a year. They even recorded their jazz originals at Sweetwater Sound in Fort Wayne. The faculty jazz group played at Kehoe Park in Bluffton. Ken played with the Heartland Singer Orchestra in Fort Wayne on several occasions. They played concerts at Storybook Park and the Sculpture Walk in Decatur, IN. Ken also composed music for PFW ensemble groups for concerts such as clarinet, trombone, guitar and saxophone.
Ken enjoyed spending time with friends and family. He could often be seen enjoying good food and eating out with friends on Friday nights with the Java Bean Group. Once a month, he would meet his church friends for a meal. He enjoyed going to the Philharmonic and other concerts at PFW. Ken truly enjoyed meeting up with his children on Sundays after church for lunch. He always enjoyed being with his children and grandchildren. They always brought a smile to his face when he saw them.
Travel was important to Ken and his wife, Karen, as they took many trips together. They traveled to Austria, where they attended a concert at Mirabell Palace, where Mozart played. They also traveled to Switzerland.
Ken loved the Lord and was a committed Christian man, a loving father to his children and grandchildren. He was a caring and devoted husband. He loved teaching students and wanted to help them succeed. He was truly remarkable in many ways. He said that the music that he played at church was his “God Job.”
Survivors include his wife, Karen Johnson of Decatur, his sons; Ben (Wendy) Johnson of Roanoke, IN., Daniel (fiancé Jessica Smith) Johnson of Fort Wayne and Justin Johnson of Fort Wayne, along with twin granddaughters, Cora and Lucy Larkin, and his step-grandchildren; Hunter, Proxima, Remi, Eris and Colton Lee. He will be remembered by his sister, Celia (Jacquelyn) Aldrich, a sister-in-law, Margorie Johnson, a brother-in-law, Robert Agee, and eighteen nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents, his first wife, Linda Johnson, a daughter Laura Larkin, his siblings; Margaret (Lloyd) Fahle, Roger (Linda) Johnson, James Johnson, Ruth Agee and Janet (Robert) Phillion, and a niece.
Funeral services will be held at 11 A.M. on Friday, October 16, 2026, at Avalon Missionary Church, Main Campus Building, 1212 Lower Huntington Road, Fort Wayne, IN. 46819, with Pastor K. Paul Maurer officiating. Burial will take place at 3 P.M. at Ray Cemetery in Monroe, IN. Visitation will take place from 3 P.M. to 8 P.M. on Thursday, October 15, 2026 at the Thoma/Rich, Lemler Funeral Home in Bluffton, and for one hour prior to the service at the church.
Memorials may be made to Avalon Missionary Church or Heartland Hospice and may be directed through the funeral home.
Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to the care of the Lemler family of Thoma/Rich, Lemler Funeral Home in Bluffton. Friends may share online condolences with the family at www.thomarich.com.
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