Terrale William Johnson, 29, passed away Saturday, April 20, 2024 in Lenexa, KS. He is proceeded in death by his father Brian Keith Johnson and his paternal and maternal grandparents.
Terrale was born on June 29, 1994 to Brian and Regina Johnson in Tulsa, Oklahoma, He was a bundle of joy from birth and that joy carried on through his adult years. In 1997 the family moved to Manhattan, KS where he grew up. He has always been out going and his personality could light up a room. He was the youngest of the three Johnson Boys. The brothers bond grew stronger over the years and could not be broken.
Terrale gave his life to the Lord at an early age and was baptized on October 19, 2003. He was very active in the church. He started out as a Sunbeam and on to the Youth Department. He sang with the youth choir, participated in the youth plays, and programs. He attended youth conventions and youth camps. He had an interest in playing the drums, well his dad had an interest for him to play the drums, so that’s what he did and he learned to love it.
Terrale was a true athlete, he could play any sport. In his early years he played flag football, soccer, baseball, basketball, and even tried wrestling. He knew at an early age that football was the sport that he wanted to pursue and that was his passion. He began playing tackle football in the 3rd grade on a fourth grade team. That team wasn’t too good but that didn’t matter to Terrale, he just wanted to know did you see that tackle I made.
After graduating from Manhattan High in 2012, he attended Hutchinson Community College, where he received a full ride football scholarship. After completing his Associates Degree at Hutchinson Community College he transferred to Kansas State University where he graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Social Science in 2016.
While at Kansas State University he played three years as an offensive lineman. During his tenure the team played in two bowl games. He earned First Team All Big 12 honors from the AP and 2016 Second Team All-Big 12 from ESPN. He also played Semi Professional Arena Football for the Albuquerque Raiders and Omaha Beef.
After his football playing career ended, he didn’t stray far away from football. He began working as a Para-Educator while coaching (offensive Line coach) at Mill Valley High in the Kansas City area. While coaching at Mill Valley the team won 2 State Championships. From Mill Valley he accepted a position as a coach and resource teacher at Shawnee Mission South (“South side”). He was pursuing his education to further his career as a teacher.
Terrale embraced his position as a coach. He built relationships with each of his players. He not only saw his position as a coach but as an opportunity to mentor young men helping them to develop as they prepared for adulthood. He did what he could to encourage and motivate any student that he came in contact with. He supported the students in every sporting event whether he was their primary coach or not. He genuinely cared for people and he loved the students that were around him.
Terrale was a young man of integrity and character he stood for right. He was respectful and full of life. He loved his family and enjoyed nothing more than playing with his nieces and nephews. He was a big man but he had a bigger personality. He was the type of person that you couldn’t stay upset with, under all of his toughness he was a teddy bear. He had a confidence that was unwavering. You couldn’t find a person that was more loyal. He had a big heart; he just wanted his family and friends to win. He made an impact on everyone that he came in contact with. His smile and big personality was contagious.
Visitation: Monday, April 29, 2024, 5:00 - 8:00 p.m., Zion Family Worship Center, 916 Yuma St.Manhattan, KS 66502
Service: Tuesday, April 30, 2024, 11:00 a.m., University Christian Church, 2800 Claflin Road, Manhattan, KS