Kim William Johnson
Born on December 3, 1963.
Passed away on July 16, 2025.
Kim graduated from Lincoln High School in 1982 and continued his education at the University of Nebraska where he graduated with a bachelor’s degree in fine arts in 1987. While at the University, Kim received the Vreeland Award for one of his pieces of pottery. He later produced and sold pottery at farmer’s markets and Christmas sales at the Latvian Hall in Lincoln.
Kim was a detailed craftsman and worked on various renovation projects in Lincoln and Omaha. He was also known as one of the few artisans in Lincoln with the expertise to cane chairs and other pieces of furniture. In his spare time, he enjoyed playing pool and baking. He always supplied his special handmade pizzas for gathers of both friends and family members.
Kim was a well-known breeder of pigeons and Vizsla hunting dogs. He was a member of the American Racing Pigeon Union and his pigeons were listed on a leading auction site. At the time of his passing, Kim and his partner Larry Kahler had several birds entered in a national competition in Las Vegas. We hope their birds will finish in the top tier so that one of Kim’s dreams will come true.
Family Information: Kim was preceded in death by his parents Ralph D. and Ruth M. Johnson and two brothers: Ralph D. Johnson II of Palmyra, and Christopher Johnson of Hastings. He is survived by his sisters: Penny McCord of Lincoln, Kathryn Kennedy of St. Louis, MO, Heidi Gasperlin of St. Paul, MN, and Jennifer Johnson of Lincoln. He has several nieces and nephews and many close and devoted friends who supported him throughout his life and during his final illness. We will all miss him.
Celebration of Life: Will be held at the Latvian Hall at a future date.
Memorials: Memorials are welcome and may be made to the previously established Southeast Community College Educational Foundation in memory of Ralph D. and Ruth M. Johnson.
By Mail: Checks payable to Southeast Community College Educational Foundation with a note in memo or attached note that this is for the Ruth & Ralph Johnson Memorial fund and mail to:
Southeast Community College Educational Foundation
301 S. 68th Street Place
Lincoln, NE 68510
Online: https://www.southeast.edu/sccdonate/
Select “Scholarship Fund”
Enter “Ruth & Ralph Johnson Memorial” in the field labeled ‘Specify’
To leave a condolence please use the form below.
Funeral Home assisting is Aspen Mortuary, 4822 Cleveland Avenue, Lincoln, NE 68504. To view an on-line obituary or email condolences please visit Aspen Mortuary’s website at www.aspenaftercare.com.
Condolences for Kim William Johnson
Kim and I met in second grade. He would always run home for lunch and run back to school and one day. We had to wait for the light and he noticed I had a silver cap on my front tooth and he did as well. So he asked me if wanted to come over and from that day forward, I spent every day with him and his family. His family literally took me under their wing, and always had a place setting for me at the table. I spent all the holidays with the Johnson’s, I attended weddings, birthday parties and any other major event. One of the funniest memories I have of Kim. His Mother required him to go to catechism classes, and she would give us money to give to the nun, and we went to a few of the classes, but then we decided to take the money and go to McDonald’s instead. At that time we could get a hamburger and a french fry with the money Ruth had provided us and then we were sure to be home when catechism class was over. We eventually got busted so it ended. I got to enjoy a trip to Kearney, where they went every summer in with their camper and we would fish sit around the campfire it was a wonderful time. I also got to go with Kim and his father and his siblings to where they had a couple of horse horses. I have a photo of Kim sitting on the horse and it looks so natural for him to be on the horse. I had never been on a horse so I obviously didn’t try, but it was fun to have the opportunity to go. I would say throughout the years I had so many opportunities with the Johnsons. they were my family and we’re it not for their taking me under their wing. I would’ve not learned the values of hard work, honesty, and just how to be a decent human being. All shown to me by example from all the members of the family. I enjoyed watching Kim doing his pottery and own several pieces that he thought were junk and I thought they were beautiful. I was there when his father and he built his pigeon coupe, which was his passion besides breeding his dogs he would take the pigeons out for training and wait for them to return so he could clock their time. Kim had many talents. He touched many peoples lives, and I will forever be grateful for being his friend, and I will miss him terribly as I know so many of you will as well.
Carleen Draper