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From Special Irish Fest Obits Correspondent Gordie Grohmann:

Saint Patrick Johnson

Saint Patrick Johnson, age 89, passed away July 20, 2008 in Gardner. Visitation will be 6-8 p.m., Wednesday, July 23, at Penwell-Gabel Funeral Home, 14275 S. Black Bob Rd., Olathe, followed by funeral services at 10 a.m., Thursday, also in the chapel of the funeral home. Interment, Oaklawn Memorial Gardens. The family suggests memorials to Grace Baptist Church, P.O. Box 366, Gardner, Kan., 66030, or to the American Heart Association, 5375 W. 7th, Topeka, Kan., 66606.

Pat was born March 17, 1919, in Helena, Arkansas to Capt. Arthur C. and Frankie Johnson. He married Mondessa Coleman on June 9, 1950, and together they raised their family in the Olathe area. Pat spent his career working on the Mississippi River and in the aviation and automotive industries. He was a long-time member of Grace Baptist Church, and was a 32nd degree Mason.

He is survived by his children, Phillis Hammond, Saint Patrick Johnson, II “Skip”, Arthur Johnson, William Barrow Johnson; eight grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; five great-great-grandchildren; and one brother, Lannis Johnson. He was preceded in death by his wife of 50 years, Mondessa; his daughter, Suzanne; two brothers; and one sister.

Says Gordie "Apparently we have been holding a parade in this man's honor while he was secretly living only a few miles away in Gardner." More shocking to me is that he was a Baptist. Rest in peace, St. Pat.