Karl Frank Alexander Pikelis Johnson, 41, passed away May 27, 2020 at his home in Waco.
Karl was born in Lincoln, Nebraska. Karl attended 3 years at Manitou Springs High School in Manitou Springs, CO. Karl graduated from China Spring High School in China Spring. Growing up, his passion was baseball and he played as the catcher on his baseball teams. He went on to attend McLennan Community College and subsequently Texas Tech.
Karl was a program administrator for the City of Waco where he was well respected and enjoyed working with all his fellow city workers.
Karl treasured fishing in Rampart Range Reservoir in Colorado and all outdoor activities. Karl was a fanatic for the Nebraska Cornhuskers. Karl had a great fondness for Texas country music and found humor in memes. He was committed and dedicated to his family and friends.
Karl is survived by his grandmother, Alberta Hines of Coleridge NE; mother and step father, Rowena Johnson and Russell Piippo of Lorena; father and step mother, Alexander and Lenell Pikelis of Creston, IA; sister and brother in law, Olivia and Tom Streeter of Austin, and preceded in death by his step-father, Sam Johnson. He is also survived by many aunts, uncles and cousins who all loved him and will miss him very much.
As John Wayne once said, “Courage is being scared to death and saddling up anyway.” That epitomizes the spirit in which Karl lived.
His life was short but the impact he made will be everlasting. He left us with gladness in his heart and engraved his smile, boisterous laughter and presence in our hearts.
Karl requested no memorial service be held.
For those desiring, the family has suggested in honor of Karl’s love of baseball, donations can be made to the Robinson Little League Organization or click here.
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Oh that is such a testament to his short life. He will be missed and grieved for for sure. Just know that our father in heaven is taking living care of our sweet man.
I keep looking st these photos and beautiful memories, but it is hard to understand the loss to our family, to my sister, Rowena,and Russell and niece Olivia,and Tom. They loved and cherished him totally. I have been fortunate to read all the lovely comments by all of Karl’s family and friends. They say everything about what a remarkable young man he was. You will be missed.
I’m so sorry for your loss of this wonderful,funny young man.
Karl was my Supervisor and my friend . I’m going to miss saying to him” Karl I’m clocked out you know what that means” then I would just go bear hug him. That was the last thing I did and said to him. If I had known that would be the last time I seen him. I would have never let go. Something I would always tell him” thank you for being a great supervisor “ . He took great care of his people. I’m going to miss you my friend. Thank you for everything .
Gone way to soon. RIP
My prayers and condolences go out to the family. Karl was a great boss and made work a fun place. He truly cared about his job and took pride in doing a great job. I only knew karlfor 8 months but we instantly clicked and became friends from the moment he hired me. I’m saddened to lose my friend so soon. He will be missed.
I’m so sorry for your loss. Karl was a great guy. So many memories going to Manitou high school with him. We kept in touch and every time he was back in town we would meet up. Love his amazing smile, laugh, bear hugs and those beautiful blue eyes! I’m deeply saddened we had been talking about me visiting texas! Love you Karl..you will be deeply missed.
We will miss you Karl. We spent many years watching you grow into a fine young man. Lucky Four Ranch, Manitou Springs baseball, China Spring baseball, your graduation, in Colorado when you worked for CSU, have a few beers at the house in Manitou and backyard in Waco. You will be missed! I am so thankful that we talked and caught up on life just two weeks ago. Rest in Peace!
Karl is missed by so many of his co-workers. He called us friends. His laugh was loud and infectious. His smile like none other. He was gentle and taught. He was sweet and sour. Be was smart and oh so funny. He once told me there was only two kinds of music – country and western. I miss correcting his grammar and being called a grammar nazi. He loved wastewater (and crowned himself King Karl). He loved his family and wanted to take care of his mom and Russ. I think he must have gotten at least some of his caring nature from his mom. She took Thanksgiving dinner to the plant because “his guys” were working the holiday. Karl was strong and stubborn like no other. I pray I’ll see him again. Thank you all for sharing Karl with us. I miss my friend.
Resting in Heaven Karl . Our prayers and LOVE for you all.
My thoughts and prayers to the family. Karl was such a unique young man with such a big heart and even bigger sense of humor. Karl definitely lived his life with passion and vest. Karl will be missed but always remembered.
Rowena, Russell, Olivia, Tom, and to the remainder of Karl’s family , I come with a heavy heart in bring condolences for my neighbor. If I have a regret it is I wish I could have known Karl better. This should be a lesson to us not to put off
what is good; and what does the Lord require of us but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God? May God grant peace to your family over your loss.
Love,
Charles and Mary Ann
Middlebrooks
What is life? It is the flash of a firefly in the night. It is the breath of a Buffalo in the wintertime. It is the little shadow which runs across the grass and losses itself in the sunset.
Karl, you are forever in our hearts❤️
I’m so sorry for y’all’s loss. Karl was dear to my heart and He will be missed. I’m praying for y’all during this hard time.
“We all die. The goal isn’t to live forever. The goal is to create something that will.” – Chuck Palahniuk
I am blessed that Karl came (back) into my life years ago. We had attended the same high school but I “was an old lady” as Karl would say, since I was a 4 years older than he. He brought so much support to me in good and bad times; he raved about his Mom, Russ, Olivia and her husband. We could/would talk for hours about life, politics, music and so many other topics. He was so intelligent, it was scary at times. He loved ALL the men and women he worked with in Colorado Springs and Waco. He was so proud of each employee and their individual talents. I hope you always know he is with you all all. I have laughed and cried the past week knowing I will not hear his voice again nor receive the best meme’s from him nor me sending them to him. XOXO
My thoughts and prayers are with all of you in this time of grief. They say only the good die young this is a testament to that saying. I am truly blessed to have known Karl and to have his family in my life. Continued prayers of strength and comfort.
I will truly miss him, he was a great guy and a great coworker, I enjoy target shooting with him. He loves guns and enjoyed talking about them as did I. He truly did enjoy and take pride in his work. Karl will be missed. His family is in my prayers.
Karl:
Rest in peace my friend, so sorry you had to leave this world so soon. It was truly a pleasure and blessing to get to know you. Working side by side with you, admiring your knowledge and conviction to your job. As we joked of living the dream, then we should get better dreams. Working at a wastewater plant in not what most people would consider living a dream. With your (Pretend) rough demeanor, but truly kind and caring heart, trying not to be embarrassed when I would call you a big Teddy Bear. I wish, we would have had more time together, to complete some goals for work, but mostly just to become better friends. So sorry we took much of our time together for granted, not realizing just how small amount of time we would have, Rowena please know Karl loved you very much and was extremely proud of his MOM. We talked of you often, and how you would straighten the guys out, if given the chance.
Dear Little Karl, It seems that you were just a little boy running through the grass at the park playing with Olivia a short time ago. I am glad you were around to help your mother when she needed you the most. Thoughts of you will be in our hearts. Uncle Leslie.
I’m so sorry. Will be praying for you guys. Karl seemed like a real happy kid when we were growing up. Seems like he is still leaving an impression to others as being a fun and happy guy.
I have a grandson. His name is Karl
His eyes are blue. His hair is yeller
He was such a cute little feller
When he grew up and became a man
God came and took him away.
We will all see you again some day.
Rest In Peace my dear grandson
Amen
Karl
The minute you were born you were my best friend. Sometimes i think you hated your big sister for bugging you too much. It’s what big sisters do. I should have told you more how amazing you were and how much i loved you. You will always be the hardest working person I’ve ever known. My heart will never be the same. Rest In Peace Karl. 💙
“Strong as an oak and soft like leather” is what he would say. An inspiration in my life. I will never forget the mark you left and the words of courage you gave me. My condolences to the family of a life gone too soon but one never forgotten. Karl will remain alive by his laughter ringing in our thoughts. You will be missed.
Karl,
You were one of the only people in this world that made an impact on my life. I loved you like a brother, loved working with you, and respected you more than anything else in this world. There is a hole in my life now that you’re gone. I will never forget you man. Rest easy brother.
Karl, there are so many things I wish I could’ve said. No words will ever do it justice now. Rest in Peace, Karl! There’s just never enough time…
To Karl’s family: Again, there are no words to express the depths of my sadness over the loss of Karl! You will all remain in my thoughts and prayers!
Karl, I only know your through the love of your sister Olivia. You were indeed loved by your family and friends.
Prayers for the repose of your soul and healing for your family and friends.
Patricia Streeter
Karl my Son As some people journey through life, they leave footprints wherever they go-footprints of kindness o and love, courage and compassion, humor and inspiration, joy and faith. Even when they are gone, we can still look back and clearly see the trail they left behind—a trail bright with hope that invites us to follow . BLESSED ARE THOSE WHO WALK IN THE LIGHT OF YOUR PRESENCE. Thank you Karl for being such a wonderful son. I miss you so much, but only because I love you so much. Love Mom