Born Kenneth Ray Johnson on May 1, 1950 in Colorado City, Texas. Kenneth was born to Ivy C. and Ola Mae Banks Johnson. He professed his love for Christ at an early age and united with the Mt. Zion Baptist Church. He was a member of the Starlight Band and Junior Choir. Kenneth attended D.W. Wallace School during his elementary, middle school and through his junior year of high school, where he was given the nickname "Smoke". However, he graduated from Colorado High School in 1969. He was a great basketball player "so he thought" and in 1968 was part of the Wolves team that won the district, bi-district and regional championships. He also attended Cisco Junior College for a short time. During his adult years he moved to Abilene, Texas where he learned the trade of plumbing while working at Dyess Air Force Base. There he became acquainted and friends with so many people throughout the Abilene area. He was given the nickname Sugar Bear or Bear. He met and married Vera Neal Jackson and from this union a daughter Kimberly was born. Vera's son Peter also became his son. January 10, 2011, Bear was diagnosed with colon/liver cancer and at this time surrendered to Christ and his life was never the same. He began to tell others how God had changed him and brought him through struggles as well as dangers in his life. His witness was "Hey man, if God can change me, He can do it for you too!". Bear's friendship with so many in Abilene brought him in contact with Randy Roy who became his pastor at the College View Baptist Church. He loved his friend, now pastor, along with his College View family. Until his health began to fail, he faithfully attended church and bible study. His new found love for Christ made a difference in his life for others to see and witness. With a love for sports, cooking, and hanging out with friends, he also had a special love for his adopted family the Benders: Ma Velma, Hilton (Eula), Doris (James), and Robert (Jimmie). Last but not least, he adored and loved his grandchildren. To them he was "Grandpa". Kenneth's mother precedes him in death yet leaves behind his father: Ivy Johnson, Sr., daughters, Kimberly (Brian) Walker of Abilene, TX, Esther Micaela of Plano, TX, son, Peter Jackson of Plainview, TX. Siblings: Margaret (Howard) Nelson of Glenpool, OK, Pamela (John) Favors of Colorado Springs, CO, Larry (Vieola) Johnson of Sapulpa, OK, Ivy Johnson, Jr. of Colorado City, TX, Lyneal (Bridgett) James of Odessa, TX, Diane (Thorney) Taylor of Wichita Falls, TX, Dwayne (Mary Ann) Jones of Colorado City, TX. Grandchildren: Preston (Poppa), Kymera (Lil Mama), Brylee (Tooter) and Mennon. Also his nieces, nephews, uncles, aunts, cousins and friends that loved him and will miss him.