Keith Johnson
Age - 38
November 28, 2023
Dr. K. Leo Johnson Jr. of Keyser, West Virginia & Westerville, Ohio passed away after a brief illness, peacefully at the WVU Medical Center in Morgantown, West Virginia on November 24, 2023 surrounded by his family. Dr. Johnson is predeceased by his cherished mother Jessie C. Johnson, father, Keith Leo Johnson Sr. , and grandfather, Thomas Johnson. Dr. Johnson is survived by his partner and life companion, Dr. Thomas A. Habegger of Westerville, Ohio, beloved dog, Ace Johnson, sister, Lynn Phillips and partner Shelly of Prince George's, MD, special nephew, Wyatt Phillips, grandmother, Georgie Johnson, best friend, Bethany Rice and godson, Officer Kaleb M. Rice along with special friends Tiny and Lynn Rice all of Keyser, WV. Also surviving are many uncles, aunts, and cousins throughout the greater Keyser area. Dr. Johnson was a native of Keyser, West Virginia born on January 8, 1985. Dr. Johnson was a 2003 graduate of Keyser High School, Keyser, West Virginia. Dr. Johnson continued his education at West Virginia University earning two baccalaureate degrees in accounting and finance. In addition, Dr. Johnson earned his Master of Science degree in Safety Management from WVU prior to launching a career in forensic accounting. In 2018, Dr. Johnson began his doctoral degree studies and earned his Doctor of Business Management in 2021 from Franklin University in Columbus Ohio. His dissertation research focused on the recruitment, retention and degree completion of African American associate degree students enrolled in accounting programs in the Midwest. While at West Virginia University, Dr. Johnson was a member of the WVU Drumline during the 2004-05 academic year and was a member of the varsity cheerleading squad from 2006 until his graduation from graduate school in 2011. Dr. Johnson served as Varsity Co-Captain during the 2009-10 and 2010-11. Leo was selected for induction into the West Virginia University Alumni Cheerleading Hall of Fame in 2018. An honor he was so proud of over the years. Dr. Johnson was a member of the Phi Beta Fraternity, Inc. on the campus of WVU and served as President of the WVU Rho-Theta Chapter from 2008 through 2011. Dr. Johnson has been active in many volunteer efforts as well, to include: The Children's Miracle Network at the WVU Ruby Memorial Hospital, the Hoss Foundation, Relay for Life, the Morgantown Soup Kitchen and other activities supporting animal rights. Dr. Johnson's professional career entailed various forensic accounting, finance and managerial positions in West Virginia, Maryland, Florida, and Ohio. In 2021, Dr. Johnson made a bold career change and joined the faculty at WVU-Keyser/Potomac State College as an Assistant Professor in the College of Business. He made a fast and everlasting imprint on the college with his service to his students and collaboration with his colleagues. He truly cherished his time with the college and was looking forward to a long career serving students and the college community. As a part of his college service, Dr. Johnson was a member of the Mineral County Chamber of Commerce's Budget and Finance workgroup as well as the Diversity Council at WVU-Keyser/Potomac State College and an elected West Virginia University Faculty Senate Representative. Dr. Johnson was honored in 2023, as a finalist for the WVU-Keyser/Potomac State College, Professor of the Year in his first year as a member of the faculty. Dr. Johnson was a very private man and a man of strong faith in God and the greater good. A no-nonsense approach to love, life, work and learning. His core values and belief in the human spirit were evident in all he did. His commitment to his fellow man apparent. All that knew him, learned from him, or loved him will forever cherish the man and be forever changed because we were privileged to be a part of his amazing journey. To his West Virginia University Mountaineer Cheerleading family, he loved you so much. Kendra and Jake and WVU Cheer coaches Christy & Kris you stole his heart and he will always love you. Your friendships meant the world to him. He talked of those times and his friendships with you with great affinity and purpose. To his Potomac State College/WVU-Keyser family, he respected and valued your commitment to the Keyser community and the state of West Virginia. He believed the college was headed for an amazing future and wanted so much to be a part of the college's transformation. To his administrators and colleagues, Heidi, Amy, JoAnne and Phil, and all the faculty and associates at WVU-Keyser, he adored you all! He was so grateful for the chance you gave him to be a part of something larger than himself. To his students, he truly cherished you all and loved working with each and every one of you on attaining your academic and professional dreams and aspirations! Hit the books and make him proud. Finishing strong with no excuses was his mantra! FINISH YOUR DEGREE!!! That is all he ever wanted for you and why he served!Eric, Joe & Jerimiah, thank you! Leo was so grateful for your friendship and all the help you gave him in returning his childhood home back to its glory days. He was so proud and happy to be able to bring back his childhood home (Jessie's Place) to its original glory. He was so grateful for all the help and hard work you afforded him over these past many years. It was a true labor of love and sense of pride for him to achieve that stated life goal. Pam & Scott, he held your friendship close and oh how loved to come to farm and help with the cattle and some field work on the tractor. He spent hours using that as "Leo Time". He really enjoyed his time with you on your land. Tom, Lynn, Beth & Kaleb want to thank all the physicians and nurses at the WVU Medical Center for all their care and support of Leo and the family during this challenging and inexplicable time. In particular, his nurse, Mary and the family's palliative care nurse practitioner, Rachel. Your care of him defies definition. In addition, thanks to the WVU-Keyser family for their kind and thoughtful honoring of Dr. Johnson and in helping the family process through this unthinkable loss. In support of Dr. Johnson's wishes there will be no services. The family will have a celebration of life at a later date (to be announced) to allow for friends, family and the community to honor and celebrate Dr. Johnson's amazing life journey. In lieu of services, Leo wanted you to take the time over this holiday season to love and care for each other!! Hug, laugh, decorate, cook and have a wonderful time together. Jump on your ATV, go hunting or take a long drive in your truck on those Mineral County winding roads, all the things that he used to do to clear his mind and enjoy the West Virginia way of life. No fighting, no drama, just love each other and enjoy the season, for that is how Leo lived each and every day. Use him as your reason to make things right with all those in your life. And while you are at it, adopt a pet. He would love that! Nothing made his life more complete, than Ace, his beloved dog. For those who would like to honor Dr. Johnson, you can donate to the college scholarship account for his nephew Wyatt Phillips in supporting Leo's wish for all to achieve academic excellence in their families and throughout the community at large. Leo will be forever missed. His impact on all our lives and in the communities, he lived in and served will live on in all of us forever. Life will never quite be the same!The Smith Funeral Home and Crematory, Keyser, WV, is in charge of the arrangements.Show more