1958-2026
Larry Milton Johnson passed away in Winfield, Kansas, on September 2, 2026, at the age of 68. Larry was a Texan, born in Wichita Falls on January 9, 1958, to Arthur and Margaret (Leach) Johnson. He spent his childhood in Holliday, his early teen years in Amarillo, before the family moved north to Oxford, Kansas, where he played a lot of good football (#41), proudly earned the nickname “Tex,” and graduated in 1976.
Larry is survived by his wife, Linda, whom he met on his very first day in Oxford, while the Johnson family was house hunting. They were married on December 2, 1977. She was the love of his life – which he reminded her of often during their nearly 49 years of marriage. Together they built a home on 40 acres just north of Winfield, and a life together.
He is also survived by his children, Jon (Abby) Johnson and Kaydee (Laura) Riggs-Johnson; brother, Gary (Susan) Johnson; grandchildren: Keaton (Abbey) Johnson, Charlee Johnson, and Mary Tyler; great-granddaughter: Adaline Johnson (who Larry was so anxious to meet and was born just 5 days before his passing). Additionally, he is survived by his in-laws, nieces, and nephews -- and his bird-dog, Rip. He counted many of his close friends as family, along with all he served alongside at the Winfield Fire Department.
He lived a life marked by generosity, service, and deep devotion to family and friends.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Arthur and Margaret Johnson; older sister, Susan Spoon; many good bird dogs; and a 1963 Ford Falcon.
Larry was a career firefighter, retiring as a Captain after 31 years of service to the Winfield Fire Department. He was a trained arson investigator and one of the first EMTs to serve the City of Winfield. He responded as first on the scene to countless fires and accidents in Cowley County. He took his duty to serve seriously, encountering tragedies and accidents with skill and care. He was exceedingly proud to serve his community.
He enjoyed many, many things. Among those things were hunting, fishing, farming, playing poker, supporting his kids/grandkids, feeding people, riding motorcycles, telling stories, eating breakfast with his buddies, tipping generously, finding bargains, working on said “bargains,” sharing music and movies, and above all, spending time with his friends and family.
Larry was a prolific distributor of donuts, biscuits, and tacos. He was a romantic who loved feel-good movies that make you cry (rating them based on how vigorously Linda cried). He spoiled his children and grandchildren. He didn’t have anything he wouldn’t willingly lend to help family or friends (we’ll all be finding random tools marked with his signature dot of red spray paint for a very long time).
Heartfelt thanks from the family to all of the doctors, PAs, nurses, EMTs, and firefighters who have cared for him during his long battle with Parkinsons Disease.
The family will host a visitation on Sunday, September 13, from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the Shelley Funeral Home Chapel in Winfield and a funeral service will be held for Larry on Monday, September 14 at 10 a.m. at the Oxford Christian Church (where he and Linda were married). A graveside service will follow at the Oxford Cemetery, where Winfield Fire and area departments will make his “Last Call.”
Memorial donations in Larry’s name can be made in support of the Winfield Firefighters Association, the Winfield Food Pantry, or at the poker table, where you are instructed to tell a few stories of the great Larry Johnson before you go all in.
