Rexford Joseph Johnson, 87, husband of Helen Elaine Thomas Johnson, passed peacefully into eternity from his home in Winchester, Monday, Oct. 13, 2025.
Born Aug. 25, 1938, in Clearfield, he was the third of ten children of Joe D. Johnson and Linda Johnson Lowe. He grew up in Rowan County, and as a young man proudly served his nation in the United States Army while stationed in Korea. He later invested the majority of his vocational years as a life insurance salesman and for 48 years held management positions, including Senior Vice President. He was a life member and served as the Post Commander for the Veterans of Foreign Wars in Winchester, Post 2728. He was commissioned a Kentucky Colonel in 1974 by Governor Wendell H. Ford for his significant contributions to his community. He was also a proud member of the Masonic Lodge as well as the American Legion, both in Morehead. He was musically gifted, and played the guitar and the harmonica. He loved being outdoors, hunting, and trap shooting, and was a skilled carpenter. He also enjoyed shooting pool, playing cards, and spending time with his family.
He is survived by his only and beloved sister, Carolyn Brown (Paul Brown) of Morehead. He wed his loving wife, Helen, on July 1, 1961. They were blessed with two daughters, Saundra Lynn Johnson of Winchester and Victoria Dawna Lydon (James Peter Lydon) of Lexington. He was the proud grandfather to five grandchildren, Elaine Marie Granados (Edwin Granados Jr.), William Joseph Walker (Breanna Kristine Walker), Geddy Lee Walker (Christen Michelle Walker), Matthew Alexander Walker (Anika Swinford) and David Rexford Johnson; five great-grandchildren, Ella Cristina Granados, Edwin Romeo Granados III, Demelza Rose Walker, Thane Andrew Walker and Locke Avery Walker; and many loving nieces and nephews.
Service was conducted Friday, Oct. 17, at Northcutt and Son Funeral Home with Pastor Larry Robinson of Spring Street Baptist Church officiating. Masonic service was conducted by Morehead Masonic Lodge #654. Burial was in Ditney Ridge Cemetery in Rowan County, with full military honors.
Pallbearers were his five grandsons, William Walker, Geddy Walker, Matthew Walker, Edwin Granados and David Johnson; and son-in-law, James Lydon.
Honorary pallbearers were Paul Brown, Andy Martin, Nathan May, Justin Perkins, Ray Stafford and Shane Wall.
In lieu of flowers expressions of sympathy may take the form of donations in his memory to the Veterans of Foreign Wars, the American Legion, or the Masonic Lodge.
The family would like to express their deepest gratitude to the Veterans Hospital in Lexington, for their continued care and dedication to serving veterans, and to the American Legion of Morehead, the Masonic Lodge of Morehead, and the Patriot Guard Riders of northeast Kentucky.
