For his birthday Earl would usually hold a canned / nonperishable food drive benefiting the White Rock Center of Hope. The family is holding an onsite food drive in his honor. Instead of plants or flowers please bring food items day of for the collection boxes that will be there. Food donations can be dropped off at Grove Hill funeral home anytime between now & Sunday at close. Thank You for participating with this project. Thursday, Friday, and Saturday hours 8-5 Sunday 9-3
The world lost a great conversationalist and friend to all on March 11th, 2019. Earl “Oscar” Van Johnson II, born on January 7, 1942 was eager to make new friends and spend time with the old. He was always ready for company, with a smile and a story. He was a loving and fun husband, who adored his wife and children. He was very proud of ‘his girls’ - being strong, smart, resilient, and doing all that they do. He believed in making the world a better place through a foundation of listening, learning, good food, and laughter. Earl could make a casual conversation, one of sage advice. He loved to talk and dream.
Earl was in the very first class at St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic School, when the building opened in 1947. He also attended Lakewood Elementary, was a proud scholar at Peacock Military Academy in San Antonio, as well as Woodrow Wilson High School in Dallas. He graduated from Hillcrest High School. He was a student and, as always, made lifelong friends while at North Texas State University in 1962. Fencing was known to have occurred while at NTSU.
Earl loved his time working at KBOX radio station as an engineer. He enjoyed broadcasting - he got to both talk and share music he loved with others - as well as all things electronic. Leading him to attain his Ham Radio Operator’s License. He also loved flying, even holding a pilot’s license. He loved being a part of Ham Radio Clubs and the friends he made through them, Earl’s call sign was N5BFG. Earl’s Father began a commercial real estate business, and Earl worked with his parents to learn and run the business. After Earl’s father’s passing, Earl reorganized the company, and became CEO of EVJ Co., Ltd.
In high school Earl had a great times drag racing. He loved riding his motorcycles. When he met his wife’s Grandmother she cautioned Tricia to, ‘stay off the devil’s horse’. He loved hunting and studying firearms. He was a proud life member of the NRA. Games were a favorite way to generate conversations - 42, Chess, Poker, Canasta, Monopoly, Nertz, and more - were all about getting a chance to share stories and laugh with friends. Debating, especially over politics, was also a favorite of his. He even served as a chairman of precinct 240 Dallas County. You didn’t have to agree, it was more important to talk and be able to understand one another as friends. He was known to buy a drink for his Democrat friends just as often as his Republican ones.
He was an avid reader - always ready to learn as well as debate what he was reading with his friends. He loved science fiction, military science/history, and STEM topics were among his favorite genres. Earl was a great photographer - and his skills were called upon for parades, school events, dance recitals, gymnastics meets, drill team performances, swim meets, Girl Scout events, Boy Scout events, and many many more. At events he attended that had a photographer, his tradition was to be sure to take a picture of the photographer “because no one ever takes a picture of the person taking pictures.” Earl also loved genealogy - he was known to include stops at family cemeteries, county courthouses, and small town libraries during road trips and family vacations.
Earl was “Man Enough to Be a Girl Scout” - in fact he was a proud Lifetime Member of Girl Scouts of the United States of America. He served in many roles - helping in his daughter’s Troops, serving as the Service Unit Cookie Coordinator, and in various council-level volunteer roles. Two of them he very much enjoyed were working with Little Brownie Bakers directly to develop more efficient Cookie Program logistics, and in establishing the Ham Radio program for Tejas Girl Scout Council, based at Camp Whispering Cedars. He was recognized with the Outstanding Volunteer Award in 1992, the Appreciation Pin in 1994, and the Honor Pin in 1996.
Earl was a Cub Scout. He began volunteering as a Scouter in 1998 with Venture Crew 36. He was an Ordeal Member of Order of the Arrow, Pischk Chapter of Mikanakawa Lodge. Became a proud & stompin Buffalo at Wood Badge Course #579-78-SR764, at Camp Wisdom (April/May 2006). He served as an Associate Advisor in Crew 36, a Merit Badge Counselor, and various roles in Commissioner Service. On the District Committee - he loved working with his fellow Scouters to ensure the District Awards Dinner was a fun and memorable night for all where everyone’s hard work was celebrated. Along his BSA journey, he was awarded the District Award of Merit, Distinguished Commissioner, and was awarded BSA’s SIlver Beaver in 2015.
As you can see, Earl was always a champion for children and therefore education. Being highly involved with his daughter’s schools - and loved working with friends in Dallas Council PTA. He was the PTSA President at the School of Science and Engineering at Yvonne A. Ewell Townview Magnet Center for several years. He loved his time serving as the Parliamentarian of Dallas Council PTA .
Earl was preceded in death by his Parents, Earl Van Johnson Sr., and Lorraine Evelyn (Dunnam) Johnson. His Great Aunt, Sister Jane Francis, and his beloved Grandmother - Cora.
He is survived by his “Favorite” (and only) Wife, Patricia Ann Johnson, and their three daughters. His first born, Wendy Erin Baker and her Spouse Robert ‘Bob’ Baker, their baby boy and their god daughter, Jenna Bailey. His second daughter, Rachel Dawn Lethorn, her spouse Brad Lethorn, and their children Taylor Elizabeth, Rianna Lynn, and Becka Joyce Lethorn. His third daughter, Hilary Ann Jirasek, her spouse Nicholas ‘Nick’ Jirasek, and their daughter Nell Ann.
Earl loved supporting his community, and used his birthday every January to kick off the local Scouting For Food drive for White Rock Center of Hope. Instead of gifts, Earl always asked his friends to bring food to fill White Rock Center of Hope’s shelves. While Earl wasn’t well enough to have his birthday party this year, to honor his legacy, and keep a request from his good friend Gordon Christian, the family asks everyone to bring food to give to White Rock Center of Hope to his services and celebration on Saturday. If you are unable to join us, please consider donating to White Rock Center of Hope in Earl’s name, at http://www.whiterockcenterofhope.org/makedonation.html
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