Raymond James Johns Jr.

Raymond Johns passed away peacefully with his devoted family by his side on September 18th after a courageous battle with a rare blood cancer. He was born on October 5, 1947 in St. Louis, Missouri, the son of Raymond and Marie Johns who preceded him in death. He graduated from St. John Vianney Catholic High School in St. Louis and from the University of Missouri with a degree in advertising and journalism, where he was a member of Phi Kappa Theta fraternity. After graduation he served in the United States National Guard. Raymond began his professional career with Leo Burnett in Chicago, working in both the creative and media sales divisions. He later joined Seltel Inc., as Sr. Vice President and Western Division Manager of the Los Angeles office. He was subsequently appointed to the position of President and Chief Executive Officer, based in New York City. The firm represented all six major broadcast networks and major station groups, and was comprised of 20 regional sales offices across the country, servicing more than 1,000 advertising agencies in both large and small markets. In 1997 Raymond became a group television station owner when he founded Catamount Broadcast Group, acquiring multiple CBS and Fox television stations located in the markets of Twin Falls, Idaho, Chico/Redding California, and Fargo, North Dakota. He remained President and Chief Executive Officer until his retirement. Raymond had a passion for history and was an avid collector of Civil War memorabilia. As a hobby, he restored two historic homes, one in Chicago and one in Norwalk, Connecticut. He found great enjoyment visiting antique shows throughout the East Coast, his wife in tow and a back-pack ready to fill. He traveled extensively during his lifetime – throughout the United States, the Galapagos Islands, Europe, The Greek Aisles, Hawaiian Islands, Mexico and the Caribbean. However, many of his favorite moments were spent fly fishing in solitude along the rivers of Connecticut, catch and release only, and metal detecting along the shoreline of the Long Island Sound. Above all it was his family who brought him his greatest pride and joy. He embraced the role of husband and father and found his greatest happiness spending time with his wife and watching his sons grow and thrive. He never missed an opportunity to encourage and support them in their endeavors and was forever present for their most modest or most special events. His Catholic faith was strong and of great importance to him. He was a loyal and faithful member of Our Lady of Fatima in Connecticut and Christ the King in Dallas. When Raymond and his family relocated to Dallas, he quickly, happily, and with great ease learned to love his adopted state and the Texas culture. He planted deep Texas roots which will, no doubt, continue to grow through his sons. He was proud to call himself a Texan. Raymond is survived by his wife of 23 years, Paige Johns, sons Jake and Sam Johns, sister and brother-in-law Mona and Gene Towns, mother and father-in-law Carol and Gary Everett, brother and sister in-law Ethan and Kiersten Everett, and nephews who adored him. A Memorial Mass will be held on Friday, September 23 at 10:00 am at Christ the King Catholic Church with a reception following. Raymond will be laid to rest at Sparkman/Hillcrest Memorial Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in Raymond’s name to The National Marrow Donor Program at BeTheMatch.org. The family wishes to express gratitude to the devoted nursing staff at Baylor T. Boone Pickens Cancer Hospital for their kind and loving care.