Robert Garth Johnson Jr.

Robert G. Johnson, Jr. (Bob) passed away at home in Houston, Texas on June 8, 2020 after a 6 month battle with lung cancer and pulmonary thrombosis. He is survived by his wife of 64 years, Sandra (Sandy) Booth Johnson.

Bob was born in Milan, Tennessee, on September 13, 1931 as the only child of Robert (Senior) and Lois Johnson. The family moved to Memphis, Tennessee where Bob attended Central High School and Memphis State University before being drafted to serve in the Korean War from April 1952 to January, 1954. He earned two bronze Campaign Stars and 3 campaign ribbons in the newly formed helicopter division of the U.S. Army. In 2015 Bob was honored along with other veterans with the Korean Ambassador Peace Medal at a banquet in Houston.

After his Korean service, Bob returned to Memphis State University where he met his future wife, (Sandy) in the Tiger Den playing bridge. After a three month courtship, they married on July 6, 1956 and immediately moved to Houston, Texas where Bob became a Texas history enthusiast until his death. He worked in accounting at Anderson-Clayton Cotton Company, Houston Natural Gas and for several independent oil operators. In 1962, he received his degree in Accounting and Economics at the University of Houston and began a lifelong interest in computer technology, actually building a computer with friend Truett Kennedy and writing accounting programs.

In 1972 Bob and Sandy, along with their elderly poodle, moved to Austin, Texas to work in the home-building business, eventually starting his own company, Bob Johnson Homes, Inc. In his spare time Bob played tournament tennis and was ranked in the men’s 45 in Texas. After the recession in home building in 1975, the business was closed and they moved back to Houston where Bob went to work for 3M Properties and Black Jack Resources as chief financial officer and Sandy began teaching at Alexander Smith Academy. Bob continued to play tennis and also became a tournament official. He once refereed a tournament game for Martina Navratilova. In 1983 he and Sandy bought a house in Briarwood (West Houston) and met lifelong neighbors who were wonderful supporters and friends during Bob’s last months and continue to “take care” of Sandy.

Bob retired in 1996 and began playing Tournament Bridge again, achieving a national Bronze Life Master Status in 2003 and directing games for Houston Unit 174. He reinvigorated his love for photography and drove all over west Houston to take pictures of interesting subjects as well as every flower grown by Sandy in the backyard. Every spring they drove all over East Texas back roads looking for blue bonnets.

Bob also satisfied a life-long desire and bought the first of 5 Corvettes. He and Sandy joined the San Jacinto Corvette Club and enjoyed many friendships, outings and “runs” with club members until 7 months before his death.

Special thanks to Christian Caregivers who cared so diligently for Bob during the last 6 months of his illness at home, especially Alan Fegar who became not only a caregiver, but a treasured friend.

A memorial service will be held on Wednesday, June 9th, 2021 at 2PM at Memorial Oaks Funeral Home, 13001 Katy Freeway, Houston Texas 77079. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the charity of your choice in Bob’s name.