Daniel Stuart Johnston of Roeland Park Kansas left this earth to pursue his next great adventure on 12/6/2022. Dan was 81 years old and was surrounded by his loved ones at the time of passing. Dan is best known for his love of animals, travel, adventure and good music, plus a quiet, wry humor.

Dan was born to Rollin and Martha Georgeanna “Annie” Johnston on June 30, 1941, in Findlay, OH and moved to Roeland Park, KS, in 1951. He attended St. Agnes Elementary and Bishop Miege and Shawnee Mission North High schools before ultimately enlisting in the U.S. Navy in 1959. He served for four years in Interior Communications aboard the U.S.S. Miller, a fletcher-class destroyer.

Upon his return to the area, Dan met his first bride, Bernita “Bernie” Oelklaus, and married in 1967. The couple made their home in Merriam, KS, where they welcomed twins, Lisa and Lesli, in 1971.

Dan excelled at several professions, but his love of motorcycle racing led to him opening Cycle Parts, a motorcycle parts, repair and retail shop, along Johnson Drive in Mission, KS, in 1978. He continued to pursue his hobbies of hunting, fishing and camping as often as possible.

While their girls were finishing college at KSU, Dan was devastated by Bernita’s early and unexpected passing in 1993. A few years later Dan met Caryln Saunders at his shop, and soon the two of them were again blessed with love.

Dan retired from small business ownership in 2000, and he and Caryln married in 2001 and began a life of traveling in their RV. They particularly enjoyed visiting Clarksdale, MS, for the Delta blues music and welcoming people, Quartzite, AZ, for the warm temperatures and RV community, volunteering at RV community in Livingston, TX, and Vashon, WA, to spend time each summer with their youngest two grandchildren.

Dan and Caryln settled back in his childhood home in Roeland Park in 2016, giving Dan time to pursue his love of woodworking and enjoy his family and granddogs until his passing.

Dan is survived by his wife Dr. Caryln Saunders, his daughter Lisa Johnston Milliren and grandson Aiden Milliren, daughter Lesli Johnston Keister and son-in-law Daniel Keister, stepdaughter Amy Rhoads Underwood and her husband Bob Underwood with grandchildren Sol Starling and Sofia Underwood, and stepdaughter Heather Rhoads with grandchildren Luca and Shane Rhoads.

Contributions can be made to the Great Plains ASPCA or Alzheimer’s Association in Dan’s memory. A memorial will be scheduled for January.

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