Siloam Proud

"She's very thoughtful and she cares a lot about people," Barton said. "She thinks more of others than herself." Justine Reed (no rela - tion), another Realtor at Realty Mart-USA can attest to that. "She is constantly sup- porting small business," Reed said. "She shares products on Facebook. When she goes for break- fast, lunch or dinner it's a small business." Being a sponsor Over the years, John- son began sponsoring ro- deo competitors and high school students, she said. Under Realty-Mart USA Johnson has sponsored many events such as buck- les for the Aaron, Duncan Benefit Rodeo which was a benefit held at Hat Creek Ranch, Johnson said. She has also sponsored indi- viduals and rodeo teams, Johnson said. People Johnson has sponsored include Ful- ton Rutland, a bull rider from Westville, Okla.; Jayco Roper, a bronc rider from Oktaha, Okla.; Kelli Cripps- Tully, a team roper from Gentry; and Tyler Hutchins and Jake Cooper, team rop - ers from the Rose-Leach area in Oklahoma and Stilwell, Okla., respectively. Johnson also sponsors a horse drill team called The Renegades who are out of the Siloam Springs/ Lincoln area. Johnson said she generally supports organizations and events that share her values which is why she typically sup - ports rodeos and rodeo participants. "In the center of it is God, USA, you know it's American, and it's safe and it's fun," Johnson said. "It has entertainment and it has the ability to see what people do, what they are talented at from a plethora of areas." Stricklen, who com - petes professionally as a barrel racer, said Johnson also sponsors her and her husband Chais Stricklen by paying their entry fees. In return Stricklen and her husband will promote Johnson by wearing Realty Mart-USA shirts when they compete, Stricklen said. Vicki Simmons, the pres - ident of the Colcord Riding Club, said that Johnson and Realty Mart-USA are one of the biggest sponsors of the Colcord Rodeo. Simmons remembers the first time she met Johnson who was hanging up a banner for Realty Mart- USA and stopped to help her. Simmons said she has been a part of her family ever since. "She is the kindest hu - man being I have ever known," Simmons said. "The only thing bad I know about Kaci is there are not more people like her." This year, Johnson raf - fled a gun both nights of this year's rodeo in Colcord and donated the proceeds back to the Colcord Riding Club. Family and hobbies Most people have hob- bies to occupy their leisure time. Johnson does not have any hobbies due to the fact that she is an ad- mitted workaholic. Johnson has worked for her father's company, Re- alty Mart-USA, for the last five years where she also tries to make an impact. Fellow Realtor Reed de- scribes Johnson as a very hard worker who is con- stantly going. Barton said Johnson's job can be very stressful but she doesn't let it get to her. Reed said, because Johnson used to work for a title company, she is able to help people navigate the home-buying process with minimal difficulty. "She knows every aspect of everything with real estate to explain it easier," Reed said. Johnson did say if she had to pick something as a hobby it would be spend - ing time with her family. She is married to Jason Johnson, a lifelong resident of Summers, she said. Ja- son Johnson used to team rope and currently runs a cattle operation. The Johnsons had a turkey farm which they recently sold, Kaci Reed Johnson said. Along with her husband, Kaci Reed Johnson has three children of her own and one stepdaughter. She has one son Lane Allen, 23, who works at Discount Tire in Fayetteville; twin daugh - ters Braeli and Terra Allen, 21, who presently attend college at the University of Arkansas-Fort Smith, and stepdaughter Jaycee Johnson, 20, who is travel - ing and trying to figure out what she wants to do when she grows up, Johnson said. Despite all of the vol- unteering Johnson does, she is not part of any civic organizations due to a lack of time, however, Johnson does also volunteer at Flag- stone Church of Christ and helps with the church's Bi- ble camp golf tournament. "I am involved in other ways but don't have the time to be physically in- volved," Johnson said. She also serves as a board member of the rid- ing club in Siloam Springs and helps take tickets during the Siloam Springs Rodeo, Johnson said. The future For Johnson the future looks bright, but she says it takes a community to grow and learn. Johnson said she can always grow and learn, but the expe - riences she gains from others are what make her stronger. Her ambition is to con- tinue to serve others as long as God keeps bless- ing her and people keep working with her, Johnson said. She is grateful to be in the Siloam Springs area because of the way people are willing to lend a hand when needed. "I mean Siloam Springs loves back big and anyone that doesn't know that hasn't experienced a hard - ship," Johnson said. REALTOR Continued from Page 5C Siloam Proud 6C n Wednesday, June 23, 2021 Siloam Springs Herald-Leader workatsimmons.com Ranked America's Best Midsize Food & Beverage Employer Proud to be a part of the Siloam Springs community since 1949. He also felt like there was a missed opportunity with the basketball coaches this past year. He said he couldn't be around as much because of the cancer treat - ments. "I feel real strongly about our basketball coaches too, Coach (Tim) Rippy and Coach (Tim) Stewart, and I think they do a great job," Harriman said. "I try to make as many out of town games as I can, and I had to miss several. I hated that because I felt like I just never made the connection with our basketball kids the way I wanted to." Harriman said last fall, when sports returned to school, it felt good to be able to watch the kids compete and talk to them. But when he started going through treatments, he had to scale back. "The entire time I was go - ing through my treatments, they were telling me you don't want the covid," he said. "You're considered to be pretty high morbidity." Coaches praise On June 4, a reception was held in Harriman's honor in the hospital- ity room at Siloam Springs High School. Coaches from all over the district showed up. Several of them expressed their ap- preciation for the job Harri- man's done. Said head volleyball coach Joellen Wright: "I would say I'm one of a handful of coaches who were here when he was A.D. the first time. Positive attitude and servant heart is who he is and how he operates. He knows how to pour into people to make them feel valued. Through - out my season, he maybe couldn't come to all the games because of a cancer treatment but he didn't miss texting me to check on how it went, or was sure to tell me the next time he saw me, "I love watching your girls play. I'm so proud of how they continue to fight." Now, here he is just getting done with a treatment.. well, I believe I can say the same about him." Tim Rippy, head girls basketball coach: "Ken was a transformational leader that thrived on building relationships. I sincerely appreciate his willingness to fight for what was best for all of our programs. I will miss his wisdom, guid - ance and his enthusiasm. He represents what is right about the Panther culture." Tim Stewart, head boys basketball coach: "Ken is one of the most supportive and positive leaders I've ever been around. His abili - ty to make you feel empow- ered to succeed is a gift that few possess. He not only has a heart for supporting coaches, but he worked to build relationships with our players as well. Hav - ing Ken step in to lead our athletic programs when he did has been a huge bless- ing for all of us! His ability to read a situation and give solid advice is unmatched. He embodies what Panther Pride is all about!" Abby Ray, head girls soc - cer coach: "In times of ad- versity, when most people wouldn't know what to say, he would have the perfect words to encourage and inspire. Coach consistently provided words of wisdom and sound advice that helped mold and influence coaches. That aspect of his leadership will be irreplace - able." Luke Shoemaker, head boys soccer coach: "Wheth- er it be him popping in to the locker room to watch a halftime talk or sending a text message at 10:30 on our way back from Vilonia, Coach Harriman consis - tently took the time to be involved with our program. His positive attitude, strong people skills and wisdom are all things I will definite- ly miss, but I'm grateful to have had the opportunity to work for him." HARRIMAN Continued from Page 4C Photo submitted Kaci Reed Johnson (left), presented scholarships to West- ville (Okla.) High School students Kimberly Castorena and Brooklyn Wors during a scholarship awards ceremony at Westville High School. Graham Thomas/Herald-Leader Siloam Springs athletics assistant Julie Kelly and athletics director Ken Harriman pose for a photo on the upper con- course of Panther Activity Center. Kelly, who Harriman said has been the "backbone of Siloam Springs athletics" is taking a new job in Fayetteville, while Harriman is retiring. S he is the kindest human being I have ever known. The only thing bad I know about Kaci is there are not more people like her." — Vicki Simmons, the president of the Colcord Riding Club

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