Arthur B. Johnson Jr.

Arthur Brannon Johnson Jr. was born November 25, 1956, in Kansas City, Kansas to Arthur B. Johnson Sr. and Judith A. Johnson.

He was preceded in death by his mother, Judith A. Johnson, uncles, James Major, David Major, and Joe Major; aunts, Alice Major Morris, Helen Berry, Alberta Shacklefoot, and WillieMae (Sally) Milton; cousins, Charles Major, Sue Shacklefoot, Helen Marie Shacklefoot, Freddy Shacklefoot, Jimmy Johnson, and Marilyn Standifer.

Arthur began his early education at Horace Mann Elementary and Richardson Elementary Schools in Kansas City, Missouri. He attended Central Jr. High School and Central Sr. High School of Kansas City, Missouri and graduated from Central Senior High School in 1975.

After graduating high school, Arthur attended Penn Valley Community College of Kansas City, Missouri and later attended Tarkio College in Tarkio, Missouri. He graduated from Tarkio College in 1979 earning his degree in Business Administration.

Arthur was a hard worker. His first job as a youth was working for Church's Chicken Restaurant. He also worked for Butler Manufacturing, Lake City Ammunitions Plant and Missouri Employment Office, both in Independence, Missouri and Rent-A-Center in Kansas City, Missouri. Arthur was employed at Citibank for 15 years. Once he left Citibank, he gained employment at The Department of Treasury in 2007 where he remained until retiring in 2020, after 13 years of service as a Tax Examiner Technician and a long illness. He also sold insurance and Pre-paid Legal policies.

Brannon, as he was called by his family, was a great sports enthusiast and could recall at a moment’s notice stats of games from years past. He enjoyed bowling and bowled in various youth leagues around the city. He also loved basketball and football. He played basketball while attending Central Sr. High School and Tarkio College. His favorite teams were the LA Lakers and the Kansas City Chiefs. He never missed a Chiefs football game. He once traveled to Los Angeles, CA to try out for the NBA. Once he was told he didn't make the cut, he returned to his life-long home in Kansas City and got back to work, which he was no stranger to.

He met his best friend and soul mate Brenda Gayle Dudley in 1999 while they were both employed at Citibank. They were married August 31, 2002.

To their surprise, Arthur and Brenda learned that as toddlers they first met at the Well Baby Clinic and used to play with each other as their mothers waited for their appointments. They also attended the same Junior and Senior High School for many years but were unaware of each other until they met at Citibank. Arthur and Brenda shared a strong bond and vowed they’d remain steadfast no matter what. During the time leading up to his transition, his best friend and soul mate remained right by his side comforting and holding his hand as he took his rest.

Arthur practiced and studied Buddhism and was a member of the Soka Gakki International for more than 40 years. He was a proud member and served as Men’s District Leader for many years. Arthur believed that an individual’s spiritual practice was personal and shouldn't be questioned by others. Each of us has the heart and the right to believe as we choose.

Arthur was deeply respected and loved by his 3 daughters, Brandi, Stephanie, and Nedra (Nikki) as well as all who crossed his path. He was a loyal husband, father, son, brother, uncle, grandpa, grandson, brother-in-law, cousin and friend. His presence is sorely missed.

He loved to travel and was fortunate to travel to Hawaii, a place he often talked about returning to, but because of failing health was never able to do so. He wanted to go to Hawaii so bad that he once emptied out a 401K to fund his trip and afterwards thought, "Maybe I should have waited".

He appreciated and loved all types and genres of music. He was especially fond of the saxophone. He once out of the blue decided to purchase an Alto Sax and went on to take lessons. Because of failing health, he had to lay his sax down and always planned to pick it up again, but was never able to.

Arthur’s health issues arose early in life. He started kidney dialysis in 2002 and received a kidney transplant in 2005. He kept that kidney for 13 years. Once that kidney failed, he returned to clinic dialysis in 2018 and transitioned to home dialysis in 2021, which he remained on until his passing.

He was featured in the DCI Newsletter where his story was published.

Wherever he went, Arthur was always a kind, gentle, and quiet soul. Those were just some of the attributes everyone always paid him.

His laugh could be infectious to the point he'd have you laughing till you cried. Arthur made his transition from this world on December 29, 2022, at Research Medical Center. Arthur was surrounded by family as he took his last breath.

Arthur Brannon leaves to cherish and honor his memory, his loving wife of 20 years, Brenda G. Johnson of the home; his dad, Arthur B. Johnson Sr. of Kansas City, Missouri; two brothers, Gregory White Johnson, Kansas City, MO and Christopher Scott Johnson of Raytown, MO; three daughters, Brandi A. Artis (Brittany) of St. Louis, MO, Stephanie L. Dudley, Dallas, TX, and Nedra N. Ross (Jerry), Arlington, TX; five grandchildren, Sidney N. Gaw and Wynter E. Ross, Arlington, TX, Dallas Dudley, Dallas, TX, Britton Artis and Braylei of St Louis, MO; two nieces, Deja Finch, Kansas City, MO, and Shaneice Finch, Atlanta, GA; one nephew, Brandon Finch, Kansas City, MO; close cousins, Ada Johnson, Doris Major, Keith Johnson, Johnny Johnson, Rhonda Morris, Glenda Brantley, Denise Thompson, Brian Major, Dr. David Major, Grankeitha Major, and Willie Joe Major.

A favorite saying of Art's was "When Life Gives You Lemons, Make Lemonade "