Keith Johnson

Keith "Red" Johnson, of Loveland, formerly Longmont, died May 7, 2017 at The Hillcrest of Loveland. He was 94.Keith was born on April 12, 1923 in Staples, Minnesota to Knute Johnson and Olga Wiger Johnson. He graduated from Washington High School in Sioux Falls, S.D. He then attended Augustana College, before entering the Army Air Corp. He served during World War II and attained the Rank of 2ndLieutenant. While on leave from the military, Keith married high school sweetheart Beverly Ann Truxes on January 27, 1945 in Carlsbad, New Mexico. Keith joined Red Wing Shoe Company following his return from military service. He was well known for his commitment and kindness to his accounts, going above and beyond as he was welcomed into their families. He and Beverly formed a team unique to their era, working together to manage Keith's business. While Keith traveled his territory and forged relationships with his accounts, Beverly managed Keith's books, sales orders, and the home front. Beverly's partnership in Keith's Red Wing career allowed him to concentrate on being the amazing salesman he was while she managed the paperwork, raised the kids and kept an immaculate home. As an over the road salesman, Keith was commonly away from home for weeks at a time. His hard work was appropriately rewarded with top salesman status many times, hitting sales records for the company throughout his career. He was one time president and longtime member of the Mountain States Shoe Salesman Association.Keith was a former member of Central Presbyterian Church. In his earlier years, Keith enjoyed bird hunting in his old stomping grounds of South Dakota with Jeff and Sue as youngsters and continuing with Sue as she enjoyed that time with him. He loved to fish, sharing that experience with his kids and grand-kids. Keith was a charter member of Fox Hill Country Club, and enjoyed many rounds of golf & card games there. Perhaps Keith and Beverly's greatest joy was taking the grand-kids to National Parks all over the United States. From Washington D.C. to Washington State, they put many miles on their motor-home seeing our country right along with their young grand-kids. It was a gift to all.Keith and Beverly retired to Sun City West where they enjoyed lots of golf, card games, dining out and patio cocktail parties. They were able to relax and enjoy their friends from Colorado, Nebraska, Wyoming, Iowa..... there never seemed to be a lack of people Keith had met who had fallen in love with him through the years while traveling his large territory. His kids and grand-kids remember fondly Christmases with palm trees instead of snow for the first time seeming to be pretty nice! Preceding Keith in death are his wife; and two brothers James and Leland Johnson.While Keith's time to be with Beverly had come, he will be missed be many. He touched the lives of the caregivers and residents at The Hillcrest in a way that our family is very moved by. We thank them for the friendships as well as the gentle and loving care they gave Keith. We especially thank Joann Seal. She was with Keith almost daily and gave him tremendous amounts of comfort, love and attention. She is much more than a caregiver to our family, and we thank her from the bottom of our hearts. Surviving are his children Jeffrey Keith (Susan) Johnson of Twin Lakes, Colorado; Susan Johnson of Wellington, Colorado; Gail (Mark Douse) Sundberg-Douse of Longmont and Bonnie Johnson of Ft. Collins. Keith was blessed by 9 grandchildren Jeremy (Jennifer) Johnson; Christopher (Audra) Johnson; Maren (Greg) Wurster; Troy (Jill) Oliver; Lance (Kristine) Oliver; Michael Sundberg; Jacob Max Sundberg; Austin Douse, and Emma Douse. Great grandchildren include; Lillian, Lexi and Knute Johnson; Payton and Andrew Wurster.Memorial services will be held at 3:00 p.m., Friday, June 2nd at the Howe Mortuary Chapel.Please make contributions to the charity of your choice in Keith's name. His interests he supported included The Disabled Veterans and The American Cancer Society. He had a love of animals and a concern for children's well-being. If you have a charity that you think Keith would appreciate, your contribution in his name would be welcome. Please share your thoughts, memories and condolences with the family at www.howemortuary.com