Nathan “Nate” Lowell Johnson, 82, of Excelsior Springs, Missouri, died on April 23, 2026, at his home.
Nate was born March 4, 1944, in Excelsior Springs to Isabel and Leonard Johnson. He attended the University of Kansas, where he was a member of Sigma Chi Fraternity and developed a lifelong passion for Jayhawk basketball. On June 6, 1968, he married Jerrie Elizabeth Cheatham of Lubbock, Texas, in Tempe, Arizona, and the couple returned to Excelsior Springs where they raised their family.
Nate joined the family diary business in the 1970’s, working alongside his father and brother before eventually seeing the business through to a successful sale. He then served as Business Manager of Crowley Furniture for nearly 20 years. He had a natural gift for numbers and strategy and was an avid card player, particularly enjoying bridge and poker. He participated in the local poker tournament each year until the end of his life. He enjoyed frequent trips to Las Vegas with lifelong friends and looked forward to summer vacations with family – whether to the lakes of Minnesota or the beaches of Delaware alongside his sister, Nancy and her family.
Nate was known for his warmth, his quiet generosity, and his genuine care for everyone around him. He was a member of St. Luke’s Episcopal Church where he served faithfully as treasurer for many years and served on the Board of the Maurer Foundation in Excelsior Springs. Throughout the years he served on various city boards and was active in local civic organizations. Above all, he cherished time with his grandchildren, Oliver and Charlotte.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Isabel and Leonard Johnson.
He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Jerrie; his daughter, Kate Johnson Woods and her husband Richard, of London, England; his son, Josh Johnson and his wife Emily, of Lenexa, Kansas; his grandchildren, Oliver Nathan and Charlotte Julianne Johnson; his sister, Nancy Rich (Dan); and his brother, Brad Johnson (Deborah). He was a proud uncle to 14 nieces and nephews.
Funeral Services will be held on Saturday, May 16, 2026 at 2:00 p.m. at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, Excelsior Springs, Fr. Jonathan Collison officiating, with a reception immediately following at the Elms Hotel. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the Mauer Foundation (esmuseum.com/maurer-foundation) or St. Luke’s Episcopal Church (esepiscopal.org).
Arrangements are in care of Bross & Spidle Funeral Home, Excelsior Springs.
