John Curley Johnson Sr.

1935 - 2016

John Curley Johnson Sr., an NFL running back, tight end, kickoff man and the first great punter in the history of the New York Titans and Jets passed away peacefully at his home surrounded by his family on Sunday, June 12, 2016. Celebration of life: 1 p.m. Saturday at the Acton United Methodist Church, 3433 Fall Creek Hwy., Granbury. A reception will be held at the church after the service. Memorials: In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in Curley's name to the Concussion Legacy Foundation, 230 2nd Avenue, Suite 200, Waltham, MA 02451 or https://concussionfoundation.org/ give-online. Curley Johnson was born on July 2, 1935, in Anna, Tx, to Odessa Hendricks Johnson and Earl Johnson. He was raised in Dallas and graduated from Woodrow Wilson High School. He played his collegiate football on an athletic scholarship at the University of Houston as a fullback. He was drafted into the National Football League by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the seventh round (77th overall) in the 1957 NFL draft. He was a member of the Baltimore Colts, Dallas Texans and signed as a free agent with the New York Titans/Jets in 1963. He was a member of the 1969 Super Bowl Championship New York Jets when the Jets defeated the Baltimore Colts in Super Bowl III and his final punt as a Jet came with 15 seconds left to play in that Super Bowl victory. He eventually completed his 13 year NFL career with the New York Giants. Curley was a tremendous husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather and friend. He was the life of the party and in fact, the party did not start until he arrived. He will always be remembered for his laughter, story-telling and the many practical jokes he played on his many friends and teammates around the country. He loved all sports but was particularly fond of his New York Jets, and the Texas Rangers. Curley (number 33) passed away at 3:33, one day after his 61st wedding anniversary to his wife, Janet. Curley is preceded in death by his parents, Odessa Hendricks Johnson and Earl Johnson. Survivors: Curley is survived by his lovely wife of 61 years, Janet; son, Curley Johnson, Jr. and his wife, Cindy; granddaughters, Kristan and Kimberly Davis and great-grandson, Anthonie Saucedo; sister, Barbara Warren, brother and sister-in-law, Roy and Kay O'Neal; aunts, Billie Johnson and Bonnie Trice; a host of cousins; and nieces and nephews too numerous to mention.