B. Kenneth Johnson

Honorable B. Kenneth Johnson, age 75 of Monticello, Arkansas, succumbed to cancer in the comfort of his home surrounded by his family on October 13, 2019. Kenny was preceded in death by his parents, Estelle & William Johnson; his beloved grandmother and matriarch of the family, Lillie Bodell; along with his uncle and mentor, Herbert Bodell. He is survived by his loving wife of 20 years, Robin; sons, Stephen (Rhonda) Johnson and Scott Daniel Johnson; two daughters, Mandy (Shane) Tropf and Katie Green; one brother William (Chantal) Johnson; sisters, Myrna Gillespie and Sandra (Rodger) Caldwell; three granddaughters, Ellen and Evelyn Johnson and his buddy, Lillie Kate Green. Kenny was a loving husband, father, brother, grandfather and a friend to everyone. He was born on June 20, 1944 in San Angelo, Texas and raised in Jonesboro, Arkansas. He graduated in 1962 from Jonesboro High School and was a member of the 1962 Hurricane's State Basketball Championship team. He was the most valuable player in the State Allstar Game. He was a 1966 graduate of Hendrix College, attending on a basketball scholarship playing all four years and winning numerous AIC awards. Kenny was inducted into Hendrix's Hall of Honor in 2018. After college, he attended the University of Arkansas Law School and graduate in 1969 with a Juris Doctorate degree. Kenny began his law career in Pine Bluff with the law firm of Dickey & Drake. As his career developed, he moved to Dumas, Arkansas and joined the firm of Marion Gill. During his tenure as attorney, he was City Attorney of Dumas for 14 years along and serving as a member of the State Law Examiners. The vast majority of his practice was throughout Southeast Arkansas, but tried cases all over Arkansas along with the U.S. District Court and United States 8th Circuit Court of Appeals. After a fulfilled law career, Kenny was elected to the Tenth Judicial Circuit Court, 2nd Division for two consecutive terms as well as the administrative law judge for the district. He will be remembered as one of Arkansas's most respected criminal defense attorney's, Family Law Judges for the 10th District 2nd Division, golfer, outdoorsman, but mainly, as a Man of Honor. He will be laid to rest on Saturday, October 19, 2019 at 11:00 am. The service will be held at the First United Methodist Church, Monticello, Arkansas with a reception following in the life center. Arrangements by Stephenson-Dearman Funeral Home. Online guestbook www.stephensondearman.com. He truly believed in the justice system and that every person should deserves a Second Chance, therefore, memorials can be made in his memory to EXODUS.LIFE, 3700 A W. 65th Street, Little Rock, 72205 or to the Arkansas Hospice in Monticello or the American Cancer Society.