Virginia VanGundy Johnson was born on December 6, 1926, and went to her eternal home on January 20, 2026 at the age of 99.
She was born to Bliss and Pearl (Nelson) VanGundy, in Osborne, Kansas, where she, along with her siblings Dorothy, Eugene, and Arthur, attended school. It was also where she studied piano at a young age and played French Horn in the bands.
After graduation, she attended Doane College in Nebraska, studying nursing for one year, then transferred to Fort Hays State College to pursue a music degree. She met Elda Johnson in a music group, who introduced her to her brother, Arris Johnson, when he returned from serving in the U.S. Army in WWII. Virginia married Arris on January 24, 1947, and they both taught in the Oberlin, Kansas schools. Arris also farmed on the family farm and Virginia taught piano lessons.
Two children, Mark Steven (1951) and Pamela Jo (1954) were born in Oberlin. Shortly after Pam was born, they moved to Downs to teach music, returning to the farm in the summers. After five years in Downs, they moved to Hays for Arris to complete his Master's degree and Virginia to complete her education degree, which led to teaching positions back in Oberlin. In 1964, Mark was tragically killed, at the age of 13, in a freak accident at the stock car races. Arris and Virginia taught the rest of the year in Oberlin then moved to Hays, where Arris taught at FHSU and Virginia taught in the Hays public schools until their retirements.
Virginia was very active in many organizations and activities: Worthy Grand Matron of the Kansas Order of Eastern Star, Sigma Alpha Iota, KNEA for education, Church circle, organized the delivery of Meals on Wheels for many years, carrier for the Hays Daily News for 18 years, and substitute taught until the age of 94, to just name a few.
Virginia was the best mom, grandma, friend, sister, and aunt anybody could ever have. She enjoyed and lived life to its fullest, traveled to all 50 states, Europe, Mexico, Canada, and went on 10 cruises, most of those travels with her daughter. She was always there to help anybody, especially her family. She will be greatly missed, but has been reunited with the rest of her family in heaven.
Virginia is survived by her daughter Pam McGowne of Hays; two grandsons, Jeff McGowne of Kyle, Texas and Chris McGowne and wife Sarah of Hays; her two beloved cats, Sunny and Puffy; and numerous nieces and nephews.
She was preceded death by her parents; her husband Arris, in December of 2022 at the age of 101, one month before their 75th wedding anniversary; her son Mark Johnson; two brothers, Art and Eugene VanGundy; and her sister Dorothy Woodson.
A Celebration of life will be at 2:00 pm on Sunday, January 25, 2026 at First United Methodist Church in Hays with Pastor Troy Miller and Rev. Dr. Susan Murithi officiating. Visitation will be from 1:00 pm until service time on Sunday at the church. Burial will be at 2:00 pm on Monday, January 26, 2026 in Oberlin Cemetery in Oberlin. In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to FHSU Choirs. Services are in the care of Hays Memorial Chapel Funeral Home and condolences and memories of Virginia may be shared with her family at www.haysmemorial.com