Obituary of Virgil Ray Johnson

Virgil Ray Johnson, Jr., 62, of Coffeyville, Kansas passed away on Sunday, November 25, 2018 at Windsor Place in Coffeyville, Kansas. Virgil was born on September 28, 1956 in Cedar Rapids, Iowa to Virgil Johnson, Sr. and Dorothy (Young) Johnson. He grew up in Cedar Rapids where he graduated from JFK High School. He worked at a paint plant for a period of time and then as a security guard for a golf course in Cedar Rapids. In 1977 he met Donna J. Cox and they began to date. They traveled all over the United States living in many places. He lived in Ottawa, Kansas for quite a bit of time to be closer to family. Together they had four children and Donna had a son from a previous relationship. Due to a long battle of health related issues, Virgil and Donna raised their children and tended to the family home. He had a very close relationship with his mother and made a point to visit her every single day. On July 28, 1984 he and Donna were united in marriage in Branson, Missouri. They moved to Pittsburg, Kansas from 1998 until 2007 then moved to Coffeyville, Kansas in 2007 to be closer to their children. Virgil loved to travel; he wasn't one to just sit at home. They enjoyed visiting Branson, Missouri and going to Silver Dollar City along with many other trips to various places. He and Donna were known to head out to the local Wal-Mart to do what they liked to call "wishful shopping". He liked to watch WWE Wrestling and baseball games. The kids recall that he liked to give Donna a hard time so the couple was often playfully bickering with one another. He was quite a jokester and named himself "The Boss", so, to his closest family that became his nickname. Virgil loved his family and enjoyed the time he was able to spend with his grandchildren. He is survived by his loving wife, Donna of Coffeyville; children, Shannon Ward of Coffeyville, Timothy Johnson of Arizona, Joseph Johnson of Coffeyville, Lisa Ryan and significant other, Milton Gray of South Coffeyville, Oklahoma, Dorothy Johnson and significant other, Eric Dexter of Coffeyville; grandchildren, Alena Ward, Samuel Ward, Elijah Ryan, Angelina Ryan, Amber Neas, Riley Robertson and Helena Robertson; sisters, Clara Brunner and husband, Roger of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Virginia Slaughter of Shawnee, Oklahoma, James "Jimmy" Johnson of Ottawa, Kansas; his life-long best friend, Darold Sisco and his significant other, Angel Hightower of Cedar Rapids, Iowa; numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, Virgil Johnson, Sr. and Dorothy Johnson-Cox and by his step-father, Joseph Leon Cox. Following Virgil's wishes, cremation has taken place and a private family memorial service will be held at a later date. The family suggests memorial contributions can be made to David W. Barnes Funeral Home to help defray the cost of funeral expenses. These can be mailed to David W. Barnes Funeral Home 306 N. Cline, Coffeyville, Kansas 67337.