Kelley Johnson

Kelley Johnson was born to Russell and Debbie Johnson in Coleman, Texas, on December 12, 1921. He became a centenarian on his last birthday. He had three older brothers and three older sisters all of whom preceded him in death, along with several nieces and nephews.

While living in Andrews, Texas, in 1959, he met and married his wife of 44 years, Shirley Ann Falkner, who preceded him in death in 2003. Kelley and Shirley were longtime members of Hoffmantown Church in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

As a child, he endured the Great Depression and was a World War II veteran, having served in the US Navy in the South Pacific as an aviation machinist's mate during the war. Afterwards he settled in El Paso, Texas, and worked for Price's Dairy as a mechanic. After relocating to Wichita Falls, Texas, he started a 33-year career with Dowell as a diesel mechanic and shop foreman in the cities of Andrews, Midland, and Levelland, Texas, and Hobbs, New Mexico.

Kelley leaves behind two children: daughter Sheila (Gary) Bender of Montgomery, Texas, and son Paul (Julie) Johnson of Albuquerque, New Mexico. He is also survived by six grandchildren: Chad Beal, Jody Beal, Cassie Hernandez, Crystal Prim, Cody Johnson, and Casey Johnson; twelve great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild; and three nephews and a niece.
Kelley loved his family and friends and always had many colorful and humorous stories he loved to tell. He loved western movies, the Dallas Cowboys, and traveling, and would never turn down a sweet treat, especially honey.