Larry D. Johnson

Larry D. Johnson, founder and chief executive officer of Johnson Development Corp., passed away on Wednesday, the 5th of January 2022, at the age of 81. He joined the Lord peacefully while surrounded by his beloved wife, Suzie, and loving family. Born in Plainview, Texas, Larry was one of Houston’s pioneering master-plan community developers.

Founding Johnson Development Corp. in 1975, Larry created one of Texas’ most successful real estate companies, elevating the concept of master-planned communities to new levels. A true visionary, he anticipated the direction of growth and demand for housing as Houston evolved into one of our country’s largest cities. His contagious optimism, hard work, leadership, and persistence allowed him to successfully navigate his company through the many peaks and valleys that has defined Texas real estate. His motto was “You have to line up every day.” With more master-planned communities ranked among the nation’s best selling over the past decade than any other developer in the nation, Larry realized his dream of creating a business legacy that would endure.

Larry’s passions were as expansive as his business. He loved ranching, sailing, flying airplanes, running, hunting, watching Texas Tech football, and traveling the world with family and friends. . . just to name a few. He spent a great deal of time at their treasured Elm Waterhole Ranch and beautiful Guadalupe River home, creating life-long memories with Suzie, their children, and grandchildren. Never one to sit still, Larry also turned his eye for development toward the Hill Country, creating projects at Bridget’s Basket and LDJ Vineyards in Hunt, Texas. Known for his BBQ, sitting by the firepit, and love of the outdoors, Larry was the center of the party and brought joy to everyone he was around.

Larry carried a deep sense of humility his entire life, never forgetting his modest beginnings. Growing up on a 300-acre tenant farm in the small west Texas town of Kress, Larry learned the value of hard work at a young age with daily chores such as milking cows, hauling hay and spending untold hours on his father’s Ford tractor. This strong work ethic led to a successful high school football career as quarterback for the Kress Kangaroos. He won a scholarship to play football at Texas Tech, where he graduated with an Agricultural Economics degree in 1961. Not interested in a career in agriculture, Larry attended law school at the University of Texas at Austin. He paid for law school by working part time managing an apartment complex and selling houses. This experience ignited his passion for real estate, ending his brief legal career with his move to Houston in 1962 to work for a real estate brokerage firm.

In 1967, Larry partnered with a client to create his first business, the Johnson-Loggins Development Company. The business prospered and was soon acquired by First Realty Investment, a Florida-based public company interested in expanding nationally into residential development. With this new financial backing, Larry turned his sights to creating opportunities across the country.

Following these successes, Johnson decided to start his own company, Johnson Development Corp. Beginning with smaller residential developments, Larry skillfully grew his business as he capitalized on the growth in the greater Houston market. From a single 1,000-acre community in northwest Houston, Johnson Development now has 19 active residential communities in Houston, Austin, Dallas-Fort Worth and Atlanta, representing more than 80,000 residential units, 16.7 million square feet of retail, 47,500 acres of land, and 2 million trees preserved or planted. Following Larry’s vision to create communities that are lifestyle-focused, many of these communities have been ranked among the nation’s top-selling year after year including Sienna, Woodforest, and Cross Creek Ranch.

At the end of the day, Larry’s most important business accomplishments were the uniquely strong relationships and bonds he shared with both his partners and the exceptional team he was blessed to have in his life. Over the years, Larry tirelessly sought out dynamic, talented, driven individuals that he knew were essential to bringing his vision to fruition.

Larry’s engagement in the community extended beyond his career with his devotion to philanthropic organizations. His positions included Lifetime Director of the Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo, University of Texas Health Science Center Development Board Member, Member of the Board of Regents of Texas Tech University and Texas Tech Health Science Center, Board Member of UTHealth Development Board, and member of the Urban Land Institute, Texas Tech Alumni Association, Greater Houston Builders Association, Texas Association of Builders, National Association of Home Builders, Center for Opportunity Urbanism, and the Houston Region Business Coalition (HRBC).

Larry’s accomplishments did not go unnoticed, receiving accolades including the Houston Business Journal’s prestigious Landmark Lifetime Achievement Award, the 2021 Builder Legends Award, the 2018 Scenic Houston Visionary Award, the 2019 West Houston Association IMPACT Award and the 2009 Texas Tech Distinguished Alumni Award.

While Larry’s business success was deep, his true heart was with his family. He and Suzie enjoyed a love story for over 44 years, marrying on Valentine’s Day in 1978. She was his companion, champion, confidant, and the love of his life. Larry’s children were his pride and joy and his grandchildren were adored beyond measure. Although quiet by nature, Larry showed his love to them each and every day. He was their dad. He was their Papaw.

Larry is survived by his wife, Suzanne Eastwood Johnson: and children, Chad Johnson of Houston, Nick Johnson (Katie Johnson) of Houston, Jennifer Johnson of Houston, Larry Seligmann (Tatianna Seligmann) of Houston, and Scott Seligmann of Austin. He leaves behind seven beloved grandchildren, Matthew Seligmann, Sam Seligmann, Emily Seligmann, Cole Johnson, Caroline Johnson, Finn Johnson and Oliver Johnson; and one great-grandchild, Susie Seligmann. He is preceded in death by his father, Alford Eldridge “Cotton” Johnson, mother, Wilma Lee Miller; and sister, Norma Jean Johnson Thomas.

Friends are cordially invited to gather with the family and share remembrances of Larry during a reception to be held from six o’clock until eight o’clock in the evening on Tuesday, the 11th of January, in the grand foyer of Geo. H. Lewis & Sons, 1010 Bering Drive in Houston.

A Celebration of Larry’s Life is to be conducted at three o’clock in the afternoon on Wednesday, the 12th of January, in the Sanctuary of Chapelwood United Methodist Church, 11140 Greenbay Street in Houston, where The Rev. Dr. Jim Jackson is to officiate. Immediately following, all are invited to greet the family at a venue to be announced during the service.

KINDLY NOTE: For those paying their respect in-person, masks are strongly encouraged. Those who are unable to attend may join the livestream whose link will be available in the service information block on his page at GeoHLewis.com.

At a later date, the family will gather for a private interment in Hunt, Texas.

In lieu of customary remembrances, memorial contributions may be directed to Memorial Hermann Heart & Vascular Institute, c/o Memorial Hermann Foundation, 929 Gessner, Suite 2650, Houston, TX 77024; or to Chapelwood United Methodist Church, 11140 Greenbay Drive, Houston, TX 77024