Betty Jo Johns, age 88 died peacefully on October 23, 2020, at Concordia
Life Plan Community in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, following a brief
illness.
She was born May 1, 1932, in Manzanola, Colorado; the only child
born to Galen and Edna Farris Baker. Betty Jo was raised in Manzanola,
CO, and Friend, KS, before graduating from Garden City High School,
Garden City KS, in 1949. She received her bachelor’s degree from
McPherson College (KS) in 1954, and her master’s degree from the
University of Northern Colorado in 1964.
She married Joseph H. Johns in 1954, and celebrated fifty-six years
together prior to his passing in 2010. Betty Jo is preceded in death
by her mother, Edna Hopkins, her father, Galen Baker, and her
stepfather, Ben Hopkins. She is survived by her sons, Joel, of
Edgerton, KS, and Brock, of Oklahoma City, OK, and spouses Julie and
Tammy, respectively. She has three grandchildren: Tyler, Paige, and
Claire.
Betty Jo was a lifelong fitness enthusiast, an advocate for women’s
athletic competition, and a pioneer in the establishment of women’s
sports in Western Kansas. She was instrumental in establishing the
girl’s basketball and volleyball programs at Dighton (KS) High School
between 1955-1958, and the women’s volleyball, basketball, tennis, and
softball programs at Garden City Community College. She commemorated
significant birthday milestones in her lifetime through athletic
achievements. At age 40, she played 40 sets of tennis. When she turned
45, Betty Jo bicycled 45 miles. On her 50th birthday, she ran 50
kilometers. During Betty Jo’s 55th birthday, she played 55 games of
racquetball, and at age 60, she walked 60 kilometers. Betty Jo
participated in the Bicycle Across Kansas event for several years and
truly enjoyed every windy, dusty mile she peddled with her friends. She
is famous for distributing both peppernuts during the holidays and
peanut butter krispie treats to the community, college faculty and her
students.
In 2006, she was honored by her Alma Mater through induction into
the McPherson College Athletic Hall of Fame following a 26 year
teaching, coaching, and athletic career which included pitching for five
state championship slow-pitch softball teams, participating in five
national slow-pitch tournaments, and her contribution to the
establishment of women’s sports at Garden City Community College In
2007, she was similarly inducted into the Garden City Community College
Athletic Hall of Fame for her dedication to the furtherance of women’s
athletic competition.
Following retirement, Betty Jo enjoyed volunteering at the Finney
County Historical Society and the Garden City Travel Plaza, in addition
to writing and painting.
Betty Jo’s priorities were simple: her family, her friends, and her
students, many whom became her extended family and all of whom she
insisted call her Betty Jo. Until her health prevented it, she
maintained a close relationship with her college roommates from Arnold
Hall at McPherson College. In the end, she said her preferred title was
mom and grandma.
Visitation is to be held on Thursday, October 29th, from 2:00 p.m.
to 8:00 p.m. and Friday, October 30 from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. at
Garnand Funeral Home in Garden City. A graveside service and burial
will be held on Friday, October 30th, at 1:30 p.m., at the Prairie View
Church of the Brethren Cemetery in Friend, KS. The family suggests
memorials given to the Garden City Community College Endowment
Association in care of the funeral home.