PCSSA President Ken Johnson
Rich Christiansen
Coming out of high school in Lakespur, California, a young Ken Johnson (PCSSA President 2014-2016) was torn between taking a scholarship at Arizona State University or to follow a path into professional baseball. His choice was made easy by a second round pick by the New York Yankees in the 1968 Major League Baseball draft. Ken played for the New York Yankee organization for five years before deciding it was time to get back to school and start a career in education.
Returning to California, Ken received a degree in Health and Science from California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo. “I started teaching in a small town just north of Santa Barbara, New Cuyama. Then California’s Proposition 13 budget cuts led to layoffs. So Karen and I decided to head north to Yakima, Washington.” For the next 43 years the Johnson family would live, work and play in southeast Washington.
Ken taught Health and Biology at Eisenhower High, coached the freshman football and basketball teams and became the Head Coach for their baseball team. From there, he took the Head position at Walla Walla Community College. During this time Ken was inducted into the Marin County Athletic Hall of Fame, Redwood High School Hall of Fame and Washington State Baseball Coaches Hall of Fame. Ken landed his last baseball position at Washington State University in Pullman, Washington.
“After 13 years in Spokane, Washington, we found PebbleCreek and decided to retire here in 2012. Making the move to PC has been one of the best decisions we’ve ever made. We both love being in the sun and also enjoy being so close to so many sports activities in the region. We love to watch baseball, football and now we are learning to enjoy hockey. PC is simply a great place to live and we have made many friends since moving here and getting involved in all kinds of fun activities.”
Ken plays golf and softball twice a week and now coaches part-time with the Notre Dame Saints High School baseball program. “I love teaching and sharing my knowledge of the game with young athletes who want a future beyond high school.” He also shares his love of the game with the PC community by being the president for the past two years for the PebbleCreek Senior Softball Association. The activities of the PCSSA Board and the league participants have been well served by Ken’s experience and leadership for making the league better.
Ken and Karen have a daughter living in Scottsdale with her husband and two year old son, Mav’ric, as well as a son, Kelly, who lives in Henderson, Nevada with his 11 year old son, Ashton.