Dr. Edward Durron Johnson

Eddie was born on the 1st of March 1935, in Grand Junction, Colorado, and moved to Camp Stanley U.S. Military Base in San Antonio, Texas, in 1942. At the end of the WWII, his family moved to Houston where he attended Stephen F. Austin High School. During his high school years, Eddie earned his Eagle Scout, was a member of the swim team and was elected a varsity cheerleader.

Upon graduation from Austin High School, Eddie attended the University of Texas in Austin. During his 4 years at UT, Eddie was a member of the Longhorn Swim Team and the Alpha Tau Omega Fraternity. In 1957, he was named an All American Collegiate Swimmer and was presented with the Bob Cone Memorial Award for Outstanding Team Spirit.

Eddie went on to dental school at the University of Texas Dental Branch in Houston. In dental school he was a member of Psi Omega fraternity and a life guard at the Dunlavy Pool where Eddie met his bride to be, Suzanne Schoenemann Johnson. They were married in Brenham, Texas, on the 26th of July 1959. Suzanne and Eddie resided in Houston together for over 50 years where they raised 3 children. Eddie was a loving husband, father, grandfather, coach, scout volunteer and devoted member to Chapelwood UMC.

Eddie established and maintained a successful dental practice in the Memorial Area for 50 years. In 1991, he expanded his practice to include his son, James B. Johnson. He delighted in going to work every day and treasured each patient.

In 1993, he was awarded the Frank Erwin Award for his outstanding achievements and contributions to the Texas Swimming organization. In 1996, he was inducted into the University of Texas Chancellor’s Council for his devotion to the University. Because of his continued support of the ATO Fraternity, his was given the ATO of the Year Award in 1994.

Eddie's favorite past times will never be forgotten. He loved his ranch in Giddings, he was University of Texas' biggest fan, his early morning Handball at the downtown YMCA, and he will always be remembered for his competitive spirit, his treasured humor, his devout patriotism and his unbelievable collections.

Eddie is preceded in death by his devoted wife Suzanne Schoenemann Johnson; his father Sidney Wood Johnson; his mother Bessie Dodge Johnson; his brother Sid Johnson, Jr.; and sister Marilee Johnson Garrison. He is survived by loving children, Edward Durron Johnson, Jr., and daughter-in-law Jean Dugat Johnson; James Burford Johnson and daughter-in-law Martha Moody Johnson; Diane Johnson Taaffe and son-in-law Peter K. Taaffe; grandchildren, Hope Johnson, Sydney and Sarah Margaret Johnson, Philip, Robert, Mary and Michael Taaffe. He is also survived by his mother-in-law, Ruth Schoenemann of Brenham, Texas and his aunt-in-law Ruby Luedemann of Bellaire, Texas; brother and sister-in-law Larry and Corliss Schoenemann, Harlingen, Texas, cousins Ruth and Terry Wilson of Chappell Hill, Texas, Jim Hart of Nebraska, Roberta Swindell of Wyoming; and numerous nieces, nephews, relatives and devoted friends.

Friends are cordially invited to a visitation with the family from five o’clock in the afternoon until eight o’clock in the evening on Friday, the 11th of November, in the Parlor of Geo. H. Lewis & Sons, 1010 Bering Drive in Houston.

A memorial service and celebration of Eddie’s life is to be conducted at eleven o’clock in the morning on Saturday, the 12th of November, at Chapelwood United Methodist Church, 11140 Greenbay Drive in Houston, where Dr. Jim Jackson, Senior Pastor, and Rev. Wick Stuckey are to co-officiate.

Immediately following, all are invited to gather and share remembrances of Eddie during a reception to be held in the adjacent Fellowship Hall.

Prior to the service, the family will have gathered for a private interment at Memorial Oaks Cemetery in Houston.

In lieu of customary remembrances, the family requests with gratitude that memorial contributions in Eddie’s name be directed to Warriors Weekend, 3603 Miori Lane, Victoria, TX, 77901; Texas Swimming and Diving Hall of Fame, at 45 Lake Forest Circle, Conroe, TX, 77384, (online at www.tsdhof.org); or to the Chapelwood Foundation, 11140 Greenbay St., Houston, TX, 77024.

Always placing others before himself, Eddie was a wonderful son, husband, father, brother, uncle, friend and mentor. All who had the privilege of knowing Eddie will miss him tremendously.