Pastor Kenneth M. Johnson

Pastor Kenneth M. Johnson, 77, of Delmar and Deal Island, passed away peacefully on Christmas morning, December 25, 2021, at TidalHealth Peninsula Regional in Salisbury. He was born January 14, 1944, in N. Wilkesboro, North Carolina, a son of the late Jeff H. and Inez Wiles Johnson. Pastor Ken graduated from Sussex Central High in Georgetown with the class of ’62. Growing up, he enjoyed camping and the outdoors and loved his time in the Boy Scouts. In his younger days he had a passion for stock car racing and had a reputation as one of the best mechanics in the business. He could fix anything, and if all else failed, he always knew how to rig it up to make it work. After graduation he worked as a welder for the Maalox Co. in Lewes for several years. In 1972, he made the life decision to serve the Lord and started his pastoral career as an assistant pastor at the First Baptist Church of Georgetown. In 1977 he became the head pastor at Faith Baptist Church in Delmar and quickly fell in love with the church and its congregation. He had a passion for helping children and for over 40 years was the head of Camp Faith, helping kids experience summer camp but for no charge. Pastor Ken was devoted to Faith Baptist and proudly started the Eastern Shore Preacher Fellowship Group, and he will be remembered as a true friend to so many preachers. If there was a need to raise funds for a good cause, Pastor Ken could always be counted on. His love for the outdoors stuck with him throughout his lifetime and nothing made him happier than spending time on the water in Deal Island, fishing, or cruising on his pontoon boat with friends and family on the bay and local rivers. He and his wife Gurelda enjoyed spending time at their Deal Island home, and he looked forward to hanging around the “Spit and Chew” crowd, his local group of watermen at the docks. Pastor Ken was an excellent cook, especially when it came to frying fish or oysters. He was also an avid NASCAR fan and loved hitting yard sales with Gurelda on Saturday mornings. Pastor Ken Johnson led a full life and will be missed dearly by his family and friends and his extended church family from Faith Baptist Church. He is survived by his wife of over 57 years, Gurelda Hill Johnson, who he married on August 14, 1964; children, Craig Johnson and wife, Sandra of Texas, Cale Johnson and wife, Kimberly of Delmar and Kim Niblett and husband, Brian of Laurel; grandchildren, Jessica Whetsel, Kenzie Williams (Jordan), Kelsey Johnson, Cody Niblett (Veronica), Kaylin Johnson, Dylan Niblett and Cason Johnson; brother, Ronnie Johnson (Maxine) of Georgetown; and sisters, Cheryl Johnson of Georgetown and Joyce Gower of West Virginia. He is also survived by several nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a sister, Kathleen Bowers. A funeral service will be held Friday, December 31, 2021, at 11:00 a.m. at Faith Baptist Church in Delmar, where family and friends may visit from 10:00 to 11:00. Interment will be private. Memorial contributions may be made in his memory to Faith Baptist Church, 1207 E. State Street, Delmar, MD 21875. Arrangements are in the care of Short Funeral Home in Delmar. Online condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.shortfh.com.

Pastor Kenneth M. Johnson

January 14, 1944 - December 25, 2021