Kermit Bernard ‘KB’ Johnson, 82, a resident of Sedro-Woolley, passed away on Wednesday, August 2, 2017 at Providence Hospital in Everett, WA.
KB was born on March 20, 1935 in Chicago, Illinois the son of Hugo and Lily (Olsen) Johnson.
His life was full of adventure from the time he was a little boy attempting to launch himself off the roof of the barn in the apple crate airplane he’d built. That happened on the farm in Bellevue, Washington where he grew up. Grandma caught him and talked him out of flying for a while.
Twenty-two years of KB’s life was devoted to serving in the Army. He was awarded the Army Commendation Medal, Good Conduct Medal (6th AWD), National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal (two Campaigns), Vietnam Campaign Medal w/60 Device, Vietnam Cross of Gallantry w/Palm (3rd AWD), Meritorious Unit Citation and Expert (Rifle.)
Occasionally his family traveled with him. He served in Germany, Panama, Vietnam, Japan, Korea and Washington, DC. Together they enjoyed camping in Germany and traveling throughout Europe. He retired more than 30 years ago in Oak Harbor and went to work for himself.
He enjoyed live theater and worked on many performances as a hobby while in the service. He met Carolyn in Oak Harbor while working on one of the shows at the Whidbey Playhouse. They were married in December of 1983.
He lived in Sedro-Woolley for the last twenty years of his life, and enjoyed meeting people and helping them in his role as a locksmith.
Much of his time was devoted to volunteering with the Red Cross in this area. He was also a volunteer fireman on Whidbey Island and in Skagit County, worked with the Housing Authority of Skagit County, and enjoyed volunteering at the Senior Center in Sedro-Woolley.
KB started All Island Lock and Key while living on Whidbey Island, and moving to Mount Vernon, built his business of All Valley Lock and Key.
KB is survived by his wife, Carolyn; three children from a previous marriage: son, Kevin; daughters, Lonette Hannon and Michelle Johnson; Carolyn’s children, Barbara Sakuma, Tim Wallace, Judy Burnett and Matthew Graff; sister, Norma DeMerchant; brother, Thomas Johnson.
KB was preceded in death by his parents, Hugo and Lily; brother, Kenneth and his wife, Pat Johnson.
In lieu of flowers, donations are suggested to the American Red Cross or the Sedro-Woolley Senior Center.
A Life Celebration potluck will be held at 12:30, Saturday, August 12, 2017 at Carriage Estates Clubhouse, 933 Carriage Court, Sedro-Woolley.
A Graveside Service with Military Honors will be held at 11:30 am on Tuesday, August 15, 2017 at Tahoma National Cemetery, Kent, Washington.
