Keith Johnson

On Saturday June 20th Keith went home. He was told he could not go home until he was able to walk. He didn’t complete his Physical therapy, he never walked more than the 10 feet he had navigated earlier that week. Instead, he decided to go a different direction. He left to be with his Savior Jesus Christ and his family. Keith was a devout Christian and could quote Bible scripture. He was especially interested in the book of Revelations and the End of Days. He could show you how the Bible kept up with the times and was as he put it “like a hand in a glove”
The last verse we discussed was 1 Corinthians 15:52
“Behold I show you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but shall be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.”
The Bible and his Christian faith gave him great comfort knowing he would see his family and his beloved wife Connie again. Keith was still on the fence when it came to the timing of the Rapture; Pre Trib, Mid Trib or post Tribulation. It doesn’t matter now. All his questions have been answered.
Keith married Connie Wilson, the love of his life in 1965. She was the rudder that kept him going straight and losing her was devastating to him. The two of them raised Spanish Arabian horses, starting with half Arabs and eventually buying two (previously imported from Spain) horses, a mare and a stallion. With these foundation animals they built their ranch and bred and showed Arabians. If truth be told Connie dragged him into horses. He went willing and become the hired hand stating Connie was the brains of the operation. They worked hard to build the ranch and put in many railroad ties for fencing and corner posts by hand. They worked together as a team and built their dream.
Keith started working on the Green Bay Western Railroad, a job he loved, in his 20’s as a Railroad Engineer and retired from there. His love of the railroad also became a hobby.
He spoke about the wonderful “golden years” he had with Connie when she retired. He offered her a new diamond ring for their anniversary, but she decided instead on a bigger rock called “Utah”. He and Connie bought a Park model in Utah and would drive there every winter. One anniversary he surprised her by telling her they were going out so put on something nice. He took her to the Little White Chapel in Las Vegas, and they got hitched again. He said Michael Jordan got married right before them. That didn’t last long!
Keith and Connie had two daughters, Melita (David) and Cheryll Athorp (Fredrick) who provided support as trainers, won all the trophy’s and served as the “pick up crew”. He is also survived by his grandchild, Corvus (Steve) Rybicki, his cat "Baby Cat" and his best friend Wayne Hansen.
Keith is preceded by his wife Connie, two brothers and his parents. a Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, July 27, 2024, from 10:00 a.m. until 12:00 p.m. at the Herman-Taylor Funeral Home in Wisconsin Rapids. Burial will be held at a later date at Pioneer Cemetery.