Raleigh White Johnson, Jr.

Raleigh White Johnson, Jr., known to his friends as “Bill,” passed away on Thursday, the 29th of December 2022. He was born on the 14th of October 1926, in Houston, and attended MacGregor Elementary School, Johnston Junior High School, and San Jacinto High School. He graduated from Rice Institute in 1949 with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Chemical Engineering. He was proud to have served his country in the United States Navy during World War II.

For 41 years, Mr. Johnson was the owner of Raleigh W. Johnson & Company, manufacturers’ agents in the foodservice equipment industry, representing eight factories in the states of Texas, Oklahoma, and Louisiana. The company was founded in 1931 by Mr. Johnson’s father.

Mr. Johnson served on the boards of Houston Methodist Hospital, Houston Methodist Hospital Foundation, San Jacinto Methodist Hospital, Blue Bird Circle Foundation, South Main Bank, Sheltering Arms Home for the Aged, Lamar High School PTA, River Oaks Elementary School PTA, David C. Bintliff & Company, Manufacturers’ Agents Association for the Foodservice Industry, Board of Visitors for Menninger Clinic, and AIDS Commission for the Episcopal Diocese of Texas.

He was active in scouting and served as Assistant Scoutmaster of Boy Scout Troop 54 at St. John the Divine Episcopal Church. He was a past vestryman of Trinity Episcopal Church and was presently a member of St. Martin’s Episcopal Church. Mr. Johnson was a member of River Oaks Country Club, Colonneh Club, Rice University Engineering Society, and Rice University Associates.

Mr. Johnson enjoyed spending time with his family on the Guadalupe River in Hunt, Texas. He took great joy in organizing memorable trips for his family and friends. Beloved by his nickname, “Big Daddy,” by his many grandchildren and great-grandchildren, Mr. Johnson was devoted to his family and his community. The Johnson family wishes to express its deep appreciation to his many friends, physicians, and caregivers (especially Dr. Alan Hoffman, Brenda Mouton, Ishia Owens, and Kellyne Thomas) for their steadfast support.

Mr. Johnson is predeceased by an infant daughter; his parents, Martha Robinson Johnson and Raleigh White Johnson, Sr.; and his wife’s parents, Alice Gilliam James Bintliff and David Coopwood Bintliff. He is survived by his wife of 74 years, Marjorie Ann Bintliff Johnson, and five children and their spouses: Cynthia Johnson Adkins and her husband John, David Bintliff Johnson and his wife Debbie, and Marjorie Ann Johnson Wooldridge and her husband John, all of Houston; Raleigh White Johnson III and his wife Vicki of Azle, Texas; and Meredith Johnson Landry and her husband Gary of Austin. He is also survived by 17 grandchildren and their spouses: Alice Bintliff Colvin, Richard Burleson Colvin, Jr., Elizabeth Adkins Cummings and her husband Scott, John August Adkins, Jr. and his wife Ashley, David “Bin” Bintliff Johnson, Jr., Lacy Johnson Davis and her husband Chris, Carter Adams Johnson and his wife Stephanie, Kyle Johnson Landry and his wife Madeleine, Eastman Phenix Landry and his wife Alyson, Ayla Coopwood Landry and her husband Ryan, Elyse Landry Tirone and her husband Anthony, Ashley Rose Mazur and her husband Michael, Trenton Gene Wright and his wife Sarah, Mary “Mindy” Wooldridge Samuelson and her husband Clark, Katelyn “Katie” Wooldridge Moorman and her husband Blake, John Thomas Wooldridge, Jr. and his wife Meredith, and Raleigh Bintliff Wooldridge and his fiancée Mary Carolyn, and 22 great-grandchildren: Finley Marie Colvin, Kennedy Elaine Colvin, Connor Graham Davis, Brody Johnson Davis, Adam Christopher Davis, Sawyer Carter Johnson, Vivienne Michaux Landry, Raleigh Delabarre Landry, Evelyn Genevieve Landry, Lilyana Yasu Thomas Landry, Dominic Asher Thomas Landry, Madelyn Rose Mazur, Ethan Michael Mazur, Virginia Louise Wright, Hannah Josephine Wright, Liam Gene Wright, Clara Ann Samuelson, Emily Roberts Samuelson, Clark “Tripp” Alan Samuelson III, Raleigh Cavender Moorman, Rivers Coopwood Moorman, and John “Jack” Thomas Wooldridge III. He is also survived by his sister Betty Ann Johnson Graves and numerous nieces and nephews.

Friends are cordially invited to a visitation with the family from five o’clock in the afternoon until seven o’clock in the evening on Tuesday, the 10th of January, in the library and grand foyer of Geo. H. Lewis & Sons, 1010 Bering Drive in Houston.

A memorial service is to be conducted at two o’clock in the afternoon on Wednesday, the 11th of January, at St. Martin’s Episcopal Church, 717 Sage Road, where the Rev. Martin J. Bastian, Vice-Rector, is to officiate.

Immediately following the service, guests are invited to greet the family and share remembrances of Mr. Johnson with his family during a reception to be held in the Bagby Parish Hall.

KINDLY NOTE: For those unable to attend the service, virtual attendance may be accessed by visiting his online memorial tribute at GeoHLewis.com and selecting the "Join Livestream" icon on the service section. While there, you may also share fond memories and words of comfort and condolence with Mr. Johnson’s family by selecting the “Add A Memory” icon.

The family will gather for a private interment service, including military honors, at Forest Park Lawndale Cemetery.

Those honored to serve as pallbearers, readers, and acolytes will be Mr. Johnson’s grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

In lieu of customary remembrances, the family requests with gratitude, that memorial contributions in Mr. Johnson’s name be directed to St. Martin’s Episcopal Church, 717 Sage Road, Houston, Texas 77056; Colonneh Club Scholarship at Rice University, Office of Development MS-81, P.O. Box 1892, Houston, Texas 77251; Houston Methodist Hospital Foundation, 1707 Sunset Blvd., Houston, Texas 77005; Blue Bird Circle Foundation, P.O. Box 66027, Houston, Texas 77266; or the charity of one’s choice.