Kenneth E. Johns, Jr. (Coach Johns) age 84, went to be with his Lord and Savior on Thursday, December 9, 2021. Born on April 15, 1937 to Kenneth E. Johns Sr. and Nancy Walters Johns, Ken was a lifelong Sewickley resident and loved to tell the history of his beloved community and stories of growing up in the best town ever.
Ken graduated from Sewickley High School, class of 1955, where he played football, basketball and ran track. He went on to earn a degree in Health and Physical Education at Slippery Rock University and later a Master's Degree at The University of Pittsburgh. In 1961, Ken began a 35 year career of teaching and coaching at Quaker Valley. He enthusiastically coached and mentored hundreds of boys and girls in a variety of sports including football, basketball, track and cross country. His track teams won numerous local and state awards and he received a Lifetime Achievement award from Tri-State Track Coaches Association in 2000. As a man of strong faith, Ken began a chapter of Fellowship of Christian Athletics a Quaker Valley High. This group flourished for years doing service projects and encouraging one another in Christian growth. Additionally, he served for several years as an assistant football coach at Geneva College.
Ken was very active in the Sewickley community. He was a member of the Sewickley United Methodist church and later joined St. Stephens Anglican Church. He was a volunteer fire fighter with The Cochran Hose Company, member of The Sewickley Senior Men's Club, served on The Sewickley YMCA Board of Directors, the Sewickley Borough Council, the Sewickley Service Unit of the Salvation Army and the mayor of Sewickley from 1994-1997. He was honored as Sewickley's Man of the Year in 1995, and was inducted to the Quaker Valley Sports Hall of Fame in 1998. In his free time, he played paddle tennis at the YMCA and Edgeworth Club where he also was a member of the duckpin bowling league.
In retirement Ken enjoyed spending time with family and friends in Atlantic Beach NC and Sarasota FL. He cherished lasting friendships and continually made new friends. Ken loved attending his grandchildren's activities and sporting events and was a special "papa" always full of fun and games with a few tricks up his sleeve and a knack for funny sayings. He was "Superman" to many nieces and nephews.
Ken is survived by his devoted wife of 59 years, Barbara Snell Johns, his daughter, Nancy Fine (Morris), his son Ken Johns III (Chrissie); grandchildren Louisa, Lundy and Ella Fine, KC, Lily and Nora Johns; sister, Mary Ann Johns-Lasswell, and brother,, David Johns; sister in laws Susan Delaney (Jack) and Nancy Griffith (John).
The family would like to thank Dr. Craig Alpert, his nurse Alyssa and the staff of the AHN Cardiovascular Institute as well as all of the loving caregivers at Apple Blossom Senior Living in Moon Township.
A Celebration of Life service will be held at St. Stephen's Church on Tuesday, December 14, 2021 at 10:00 am. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to People Helpers of St. Stephen's Church, 405 Frederick Avenue, Sewickley Pa 15143 or The Sewickely Valley Historical Society, 200 Broad Street Sewickley, Pa 15143.
Masks are suggested. The Johns family will be receiving friends immediately after the Funeral Service in the church hall until 12:15 pm. A Private burial will then follow in Sewickley Cemetery. Arrangements by The Richard D. Cole Funeral Home, Inc. Sewickley.
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