Joseph R. Johnson

Joseph Robert Johnson, 85 of Richardson passed peacefully from this life on 1/4/24 due to complications from ampullary cancer.  There will be a Celebration of Life and a separate Memorial Service for Joe.  Details are listed below.

Born August 8.1938 in Ft. Worth TX, BA degree from Texas Wesleyan in 1960 where he appeared in theater productions.  Choir member, soloist and performed the lead in many Broadway productions at First Methodist Dallas’ Rotunda Theater.  Choir member and soloist at FUMC DeSoto and FUMC Richardson.  Past DeSoto Enclave Homeowners Association President and board member of the Southwest Children’s Chorus.

National sales manager of Johnson Automotive, Monkey Grip Rubber Co and Southwest Marketing & Sales.  VP of travel agency business with wife Donna, President of the Lancaster Chamber of Commerce where he earned IOM designation and Executive Director of the Best Southwest Partnership until his retirement.

An original member of Thorntree Country Club, served four times as Chairman of the Board including as the first.  Past President of the DeSoto Chamber of Commerce. Certified golf instructor, Past alumni president of Texas Wesleyan.  Past President of the DeSoto and Lancaster Rotary Clubs and Paul Harris Fellow.  Joe loved his family, golf, music, travel and the Dallas Cowboys.

Preceded in death by his parents, Elmer and Dorothy Johnson, brother Gerald (Jerry) Johnson, niece Janna Johnson and nephew John David Johnson.  Survived by beloved wife of 49 years, Donna, son Jeff of San Antonio, son Terry of Ferris, son Lance (Bella) of Warren, Oregon, son Mikal (Michelle) of Richardson, brother Wesley W. Johnson and wife Ruth Ann of Toledo, sister-in-law Rebecca Johnson, nephews Jason (Karen) and Toby (Justina) Johnson, great nephews Nolan, Dylan, Justin and Issac Johnson, great nieces Gabriella and Gianna Johnson, grandchildren Hunter Hale, Johnathan (Samantha) Maxwell, Jessica (Chris), Tyler (Kayleigh), Jake, Jordyn and Dashel Johnson, Bonus grandchildren Quinn, Caleb and Baxter Polozola and great-grandchildren Jaycee, Axel, Delaynie Jo and Alex.

A Memorial Service will be held on Monday, January 29th, 2024 at 2:00 p.m. at the

First United Methodist Church, 503 N. Central Expressway in Richardson, Texas.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Joe’s name to:

the American Cancer Society,

the Visiting Nurses Association Hospice Care,

FUMC DeSoto or FUMC Richardson.