Howard Byrl Johnson, 85, of Topeka, passed away on March 19, 2022, at the Winter Meadows Homes in Carbondale, Kansas.

He was born in Gossel, Kansas on December 23, 1936, the son of Wayne and Maxine (Kiddoo) Johnson.

He served his country in the U.S. Navy during the Korean Conflict.

Howard was a Technician for AT&T for 35 years.

He was a member of the Susanna Wesley United Methodist Church, and the Masonic Lodge in Whiting.  His greatest love was for his family, grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Howard married Carolyn Lois Messenger on February 17, 1963, in Roxbury, Kansas.  She survives him.  He is also survived by two daughters, Finette Gress and Mary (Charles) Thurmon, seven grandchildren, Amy (Travis) Hamilton, Ryan (Meredith) Gress, Stacy (Blake) Tillman, Carly (Daniel) Cain, Lindsay (Jake) Leakey, Stephany (Cameron) Rohleder, and Marcy Gress (Kaleb Peaden), four great grandchildren, Christian Hamilton, Paityn Cain, Chloe Tillman and Emerson Hamilton, a sister-in-law Peggy Johnson and a sister Joan Cox.  He was preceded in death by his parents and a brother Larry Johnson.

Mr. Johnson will lie in state at the Brennan-Mathena Funeral Home on Monday, March 21st, where his family will greet friends from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.  Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, March 22nd at 10:00 a.m. at the funeral home.  Interment will be in the Rochester Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made in his memory to Susanna Wesley United Methodist Church or for Parkinson’s Research and sent in care of Brennan-Mathena Funeral Home, 800 SW 6th Ave., Topeka, Kansas 66603.

Online condolences and fond memories may be left at www.brennanmathenafh.com.