Hays Post

Former state Rep. Dan Johnson was the “epitome of public service,” Eber Phelps said as he reminisced about his friend and former House colleague. Johnson died Sunday in Hays at the age of 77.

The two served 14 years together in the Kansas Legislature. Johnson was a Republican representing the 110th District, which covered portions of rural Ellis County; Phelps, a Democrat, served the 111th District, which covers Hays.

Both were first elected in 1996.

“Dan believed in doing what’s best for the people you represent,” Phelps said, “even if that meant ‘crossing the aisle’ for a vote, which he would do. He always had his district’s best interests at heart.”

There were “many things in common” between the areas represented by the pair, he said, including medical facilities, education, agriculture, oil and the area’s infrastructure.

“We voted alike so many times, that when we didn’t, we’d call each other on the House floor to see if one of us was ‘missing something’ about the issue,” recalled Phelps.

“We traveled many miles together to attend various events from Colby to Salina, Ellis to Russell, and I always looked forward to those, particularly Eggs and Issues in Hays.

“You can’t find a finer person — patriotic, family-oriented, respectful of others’ opinions — and Dan had those attributes through his military service, in his agricultural work and in the Legislature.”

Johnson served the 110th District from 1997 to 2011.

Services are pending at Cline’s Mortuary of Hays.