Leonard "Lj" H Johnson Jr.

Leonard H. Johnson , Jr. (“LJ”) was born on February 25, 1948 in Bonne Terre, Missouri to Leonard and Verla Johnson. His family moved to Texas when he was very young and he and his sisters grew up in Texas City, Texas. Leonard passed away at home, at ‘The Ranch’, on October 15, 2016 due to complications of sepsis.

Leonard is survived by his bride, Sue Johnson; his children, James, Marcus and Tori Johnson; his sisters, Shay Malone and Judy Brolick (John); and his nephews, Clint Malone and Cole Brolick.

He was predeceased by his parents, Leonard H. Johnson Sr. and Verla Jeanne Johnson.

Leonard graduated from Sam Houston State University in 1970 with a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration. He went on to become a financial advisor, a career he loved and enjoyed for over 38 years. He worked as Associate Vice-President of Investments with Wells Fargo Advisors, and he spoke often and with great affection for his friends and co-workers at Wells Fargo. He was dedicated to his clients, who he also called his friends and he cherished the relationships he had with all of them. For five years in a row he was honored to be chosen by Texas Monthly Magazine as a Five Star Wealth Manager.

Leonard loved the Great Outdoors and was eager to be immersed in anything having to do with nature. He knew almost every bird in Texas and Oklahoma by sight or sound. He loved to fish, both fresh and saltwater, hunt and target shoot. Leonard was a member of the Willow Bend Hunt Club and the Dallas Safari Club. He was an avid camper and hiker, having hiked many famous, and just as many off-the-beaten-path trails over the years. Leonard loved sharing his passion of the outdoors with his kids James, Marcus and Tori and they had many opportunities to experience a variety of outdoor activities with him. Leonard had happy memories going camping with his friend Jim and all their children, and he treasured that time with his kids. He had been partners in two ranches in Oklahoma over the span of fifteen years and just last year made the decision with his wife Sue, to make their ranch their permanent home and retire there. They worked together on a very successful garden this year and he was more than thrilled to share the bounty with family and friends. Leonard had plans for raising chickens and bees and he and Sue were constantly adding to the list of projects they were looking forward to doing together.

Leonard was a charter member of the International Coleman Collectors Club . It all started with one lantern, and ended up being a lifelong passion. He went to his first convention over 20 years ago and described the experience saying he “arrived not knowing a soul and left with friendships that would last a lifetime”. He had just started his 2nd term as club treasurer and board member, and thoroughly enjoyed both responsibilities. He and Sue looked forward to each annual convention and to driving cross country together to attend and gather with their close friends whom will always be known as their Coleman Family.

Another one of Leonard’s passions was that he was a rabid foodie. He loved nothing more than to have a ‘pot of something’ cooking on the stove. And what he loved even more than cooking was sharing. Every pot was filled to the brim so he could share it with co-workers, neighbors, his kids and his friends.

He also loved canning, and he and Sue made jams and pickles and even homemade ketchup. A testament to his love of cooking was his collection of cookbooks that he picked up regularly while enjoying another one of his favorite hobbies; his weekly garage and estate sale ‘hunts’. As he put it, retail was a 4-letter word and no one could ever have enough cookbooks, kitchen toys, hammers, or lightbulbs.

Leonard’s love of music was an eclectic mix that ranged from music of the 60’s and 70’s to the music of New Orleans which extended to the city itself. He attended over 25 Jazz Fests over the years, sometimes alone, other times with a group, his sisters, or with Sue. The last time he went he was able to share the experience with not only his wife and his sister Shay, but with his son Marcus.

Leonard was an adventurer throughout his entire life. From travels across Mexico with his best friend Bob, to hiking all over the country with a variety of friends. If he hadn’t been somewhere he wanted to go. If he hadn’t experienced it, he wanted to learn and do it at least once. He said often and with enthusiasm, “It’s always a good day when I learn something new!” He was interested in everyone and he looked at every person as a potential friend. He tried to be kind to all, he greeted each day and everyone with a smile on his face, and his warmth and love of life was obvious to all who knew or met him. As he was fond of saying, “Keep on smiling, the best is yet to come.”