Lawrence Thomas Johnson was born October 5, 1938, in Ainsworth, NE, the third child of Margaret Jane and John Lyle Johnson. His grade school years were spent in Burwell, Minden, Cozad, Broken Bow, and finally rural Cherry County. When the family moved to the Mission Ranch north of Kilgore, Larry attended the Sunshine School for 7th and 8th grade. He went to O’Neill St. Mary’s for High School where he made lifelong friends that still kept in contact with him until his death. He was a member of the football team, track team, choir, and drama. He graduated in 1956. He attended Chadron State College from 1957-1960 where he participated in choir and drama, and took classes in art, woodworking, and drafting, among others.
Larry began working for the Bureau of Reclamation in 1960. One of the first jobs he worked on was the construction of Merritt Dam. He was drafted into the army and reported for duty in January 1962. He was active for two years. He continued his sense of duty through the American Legion for as long as he was able. He was a very active lifetime member of the local Post #319 in Cody for years, while also serving in various regional and state offices. Boys and Girls State and the Junior Law Cadet Program were his special passions.
After his military service, Larry returned working for the Bureau of Reclamation. In 1967 he transferred to the US Geological Survey. He worked on jobs in most of the western US, from Montana to Texas. He enjoyed seeing the country up close as he surveyed and mapped many acres. He developed a passion for geology, loved hunting rocks, and was well-read on the topic.
Larry took a brief break from the USGS in 1977 and in that time he bought a small ranch with his brother Greg, near Eli, NE and later opened Ranchland Electronics with his brother-in-law, Wade Wobig, in Valentine, selling and repairing TV’s and other electronics. He also returned to Chadron State College for a year in 1987 to study geology. But he was lured back to work for the USGS for a few more years, finally retiring in 1993.
He returned to Cody, and being a life-long learner, he took training on repairing small engines. He spent many years repairing mowers and doing many odd jobs for local residents. Many times he would refuse payment from elderly people, especially widows, so they would pay him in baked goods. He was the town’s “handyman” for many years. He also remodeled two houses that he rented out. He could do about anything… woodworking, electrical work, plumbing, engine repair and passed on many of those skills to his brothers and nephews.
Larry married Kate Linenbrink in July, 1979. They lived in Martin for several years until they divorced. They remained good friends until her death. Larry did not have children of his own, but he was a favorite uncle to his many nieces and nephews. He enjoyed attending their sporting events, graduations, and weddings.
Larry loved doing the morning crossword puzzle, feeding the neighborhood squirrels, new red pickups, Willie’s Roadhouse, and hitting the road for another trip out west. He had many unique sayings which his nieces/ nephews coined “Larryisms.” As his health declined, the one character trait that never left him was that he was always a gentleman, especially to his caretakers. His kindness, generosity, and humor will be missed by so many friends and family.
Larry is survived by his sister, Collean (Fred) Fredrickson of Ada, OK; brothers, John (Susan) Johnson of Valentine, NE, Ed (Linda) Johnson of Greeley, CO and George (Karen) Johnson of Cody, NE; brother-in-law, Tom Hoffmann of Nenzel, NE; sister-in-law, Bonnie Johnson of Ogallala, NE; 28 nieces and nephews; 82 great nieces and nephews; 37 great-great nieces and nephews; and 1 great-great-great niece.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Margaret and John; sisters, Jeanette Hoffmann, Jacque Carey, and Carol Wobig; brother, Gregory Johnson; brother-in-law, Thomas Carey; nieces, Jean Pelc, Nicole Johnson, Kathleen Johnson, and baby Collean Fredrickson.
Larry was a member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Nenzel and the Knights of Columbus. He passed away on November 14, 2023 at the Sandhills Care Center in Ainsworth, NE with family present. Service was held on November 20, 2023, at St. Mary’s in Nenzel and the burial followed at St. Mary’s Cemetery. Rosary was recited on November 19th St. Mary’s. Memorials will go to Legion Post #319 in Cody. Sandoz Chapel of the Pines in Valentine was entrusted with service arrangements.
