Gary Wayne Johnson

Gary Wayne Johnson entered this world on August 21, 1949 in Point, Texas as the second born child of Warren Johnson and Burlena Moore. Gary was blessed from birth being born as a “blue baby,” who was almost set aside until his midwife revived him and Gary gave out his first battle cry to the world. Gary lost his father at a young age, and his mother remarried Edward Williams who graciously took on the role of loving Father and raised Gary as his own son. The family relocated to Fort Worth, Texas in the late 1950’s.

Known to many of his friends as Bubba, Gary grew up in the Stop Six/Southside areas near his extended family. Growing up he was very close with his uncles and cousins, and built an especially strong bond with his uncle Willie “Sunny” Moore throughout adulthood. He also had a crew of best friends who he affectionately referred to as his road dogs.

Gary attended James E. Quinn, Dunbar and I.M. Terrell High School. During high school Gary worked a newspaper delivery route and at a local grocery store where he also delivered groceries. He was active in sports including football and was a talented artist. Gary graduated from historic I.M. Terrell High School in 1968.

Although he was offered an art scholarship to attend college, Gary set his sights on traveling the open road and became a long haul truck driver, operating 18 wheelers at age 19. He developed a successful career becoming a Warehouse Manager and Operations Supervisor, assisting several different companies including United Sales for 20 years, Bristol Products, KevCo Distribution, Woodgrain, and he retired from Millsource. Gary racked up well over half a million miles on the road traveling from coast to coast before shifting his focus to Texas and the Rio Grande Valley driving to the Gulf of Mexico on a weekly basis. He truly enjoyed his time as a truck driver often reminiscing on stories of his experiences and easily offering expert directions to any USA destination. Gary maintained his presence on the CB radio airwaves using the handle name “Black Cat” well after retirement and he never embarked on a long distance road trip without being equipped with the CB radio in his personal trucks.

Due to his many travels and larger than life personality, Gary never met a stranger and made many friends along his path. Three friends/cousins in particular, Billy, Rose and Evelyn, led Gary to the love of his life, Emma Marie Hobbs. They met at Emma’s family restaurant, The Dairy Cream in Como, and he often told stories of how he instantly fell in love with her smile (and legs). They were married on June 5, 1976, igniting a love affair that spanned over 40 years. Their love gave birth to a close-knit family beginning with their first-born daughter Alisha Waynette Johnson born in 1979, followed by the birth of Alison Marie Johnson in 1985. Their family grew to include grandsons De’Shaundré Wayne-Zion Johnson, Deven Brayden Johnson, and Terrell Edward Jones (Pei-Wei). Gary was preceded in death by Emma in 2018.

Always a jack of all trades, Gary enjoyed hobbies including farming, raising pigs, horses, and his pride and joy – Black Angus and Brangus cows in Rendon, Joshua and Godley, Texas. He also had a love for being a Mr. Fix-It and started his own private business as a certified plumber and handyman, assisting many friends and family members with repairs and projects. Gary was rarely idle, always finding new things to repair and create. An avid sports enthusiast, he “bled-blue,” being a loyal Dallas Cowboys fan who never missed viewing a game. In his later years, he assisted his grandsons in their sports endeavors, running drills, encouraging, and rooting them on in the stands at every game that he could.

Gary was always a seeker of the simple things in life, staying true to his country roots and love of the land. He was incredibly proud of not only his own accomplishments, but also the successes of his wife, daughters, grandsons, siblings, nieces and nephews, and his family overall. He would not hesitate to express his compassion and gratitude for life in general.

Gary was baptized into the Christian faith as a baby and became a member of the African Methodist Episcopal church. He attended Johnson Chapel AME and later St James AME church which he joined with his wife Emma, daughters, and grandchildren.

In his final years on Earth, Gary remained in his home that he purchased with his wife Emma and was cared for by his daughters, son-in-law Tariq, and his grandsons. De’Shaundre his oldest grandson, proudly took on the role of personal caregiver alongside Gary’s special nephew Da’Quelonne Jacobs and family friend Stacey Schlotzhauer. Gary passed away in Arlington, Texas on November 24, 2021 at the Bridge Assisted Living home, operated by his daughter Alisha through her company Care4U. He was surrounded by his close-knit family and friends until the very end. Heaven has gained a new angel, boisterous, full of energy, with a magnetic smile that shines down on us all.

Preceded in Death by: Twin siblings Beverley and Michael Johnson, Father Warren Johnson, Father Edward Lee Williams, wife Emma Marie Hobbs Johnson, and loving uncles and aunts.

Survived by his Mother Burlena Moore Williams, Daughters Alisha Johnson Mu’min (Tariq husband) and Alison Marie Johnson, brother Edward Lee Williams Jr, Sister Mae Kathryn Rossi (Rick husband), grandchildren De’Shaundré Wayne-Zion Johnson, Deven Brayden Johnson, Terrell Edward Jones, and Zion Mu’min. Nieces, Nephews and family members Brenda Hall (Stevie husband), Sonya Lynn Brookins, Gregory Brookins, Gregory Brookins Jr, Roman Brookins, Anthony Willis, Emeshia Brookins, John McHenry, Nakia “Nikki” Stephens, Frederick T. Turner, Davion Waters, Haley Waters, Leslie Moore, Monica Hobbs (Duane husband), LaCrisa Gilbert, Freda and Lawrence Murray, Coushatta Murray, Warren and Janice Hobbs and a large host of additional beloved relatives and friends.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.gwspencerdirs.net for the Johnson family.