Jan 19, 2021

Loretta P. Johnson, 'Lory Williams'

Posted Jan 19, 2021 8:05 PM

Loretta P. Johnson, "Lory Williams," 73, died on Sunday, January 17, 2021, a Wesley Medical Center in Wichita. She was born on July 22, 1947 at Las Animas, Colorado the daughter of Lawrence & Etta (Wertz) Clayton.

Loretta graduated from McClave High School in McClave, Colorado. She had also attended the Kansas City School of Music and the Cliff Mann Accordion School in Kansas City. She was part of an Accordion Group that played for Eleanor Roosevelt.

After graduating high school, she married Don Morlan. To this union was born two children, Lorie and Barrett. She later married Roy L. Johnson on October 30, 1987 at Little Rock, Arkansas.

Known by her radio name, Lory Williams, she started her radio broadcasting career in Lamar, Colorado. She also worked in Boonville, Missouri; Oberlin, Kansas; Hays, Kansas; and Pueblo, Colorado. In 1986 she moved to Garden City and was the Farm Director and Farm Broadcaster for KBUF and KKJQ.

She faithfully attended The Church of The Brethren in Garden City. She was a member of the National Association of Farm Broadcasters. She received many honors and awards from the NAFB thru the years. She loved and lived the rural life and was involved in rodeos, saddle club events, 4-H, Beef Empire Days. She served as a Judge at the Kansas Rodeo Queen Pageant for many years. She was heavily involved in her favorite charity, Miles of Smiles, which is a therapeutic riding program located in Garden City. In her earlier years she also ran 10K and 5K runs.

She is survived by her Husband- Roy Johnson, Daughter- Lorie Westbrook, Son-Barrett Morlan, both of Burkburnett, Texas, Mother- Etta Clayton of Hasty, Colorado; 3 Sisters- Cheryl (Lee) Baldwin of Quinter, Vicki (Wayne) Burgess of Hasty, Colorado and Valerie (Tim) Noecker of McClave, Colorado; 5 Grandchildren and 11 Great-Grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her Father.

Funeral Service will be at 10:30 AM(CST) Thursday at Church of The Brethren in Garden City with Rev. Bob Bates and Von Hunn officiating. Graveside Service will be at 3:00 PM (MT) at McClave Cemetery in McClave, Colorado. Friends may call from Noon to 8:00 PM Wednesday at Garnand Funeral Home in Garden City. Memorial contributions may be made to Miles of Smiles or The National Association of Farm Broadcasters in care of Garnand Funeral Home. Condolences may be posted at www.garnandfuneralhomes.com