Jerry L. Johnson

Jerry L. Johnson, age 84 of Bryan, Texas passed away on 14 December 2025.

Jerry was born on 12 September 1941 in Bryan, Texas to Ola Maude and Jesse Everett Johnson. He was raised in Hearne, Texas alongside his brothers whom he remained close throughout their lives.

Jerry is survived by his wife of 60 years, Martha Hill Johnson, son Jerry Johnson, Jr. (Grace) of Buda, Texas, daughter Janis Reed (Thomas), of Seabrook, Texas, grandson Frank Johnson of Austin, Texas, and granddaughter Faith Davitt (Andrew), of Huntsville, Alabama. He also leaves behind two great grandchildren, and many beloved nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, and his brothers, (infant brother Tommie J. Johnson, Jesse E. Johnson, Jr., and J. Kenneth Johnson).

From childhood, Jerry was an avid sports fan and athlete. He played football for the high school team, serving as Co-Captain and earned recognition as an outstanding lineman. He also enjoyed the arts, playing guitar, singing and performing in school performances. In this play the character needed a beard and he grew one for the performance!

After graduation from high school, he sought out a new challenge and joined the United States Air Force. He served proudly for four years and was honorably discharged in 1964 as Communications Focal Point. He had security clearance and was involved in communications that occurred during the Cuban Missile Crisis in 1962.

After his military service, Jerry returned to Texas and decided to pursue higher education at Stephen F. Austin University in Nacogdoches, Texas. Less than three months later, a family member introduced him to a young co-ed who needed an escort for the homecoming festivities. This young lady would steal his heart and remained his faithful partner for 60+ years. Jerry briefly attended St. Edwards University in Austin, Texas before returning to SFA, where he earned a business degree in 1970.

Following college graduation, the young family re-located to Austin, Texas where he began his professional career with the Texas Highway Department (later the Texas Department of Transportation) in the district office. He devoted more than 30 years to TxDOT. Upon retirement, Jerry went to work as a contractor for Dynatest and later for Texas Transportation Institute, providing data on Texas roadways. He finally stopped working at age 82.

Always active and rarely idle, Jerry filled his time with pursuits that reflected his energy and curiosity. He played guitar, shuffled dominoes, dealt cards, whistled while he walked, coached winning softball teams, played backyard catch, and planted gardens. He was avid coin collector, history buff (particularly military history), crossword puzzle solver, Natural Light connoisseur, and unapologetic Jerry Springer fan. He taught his grandkids how to shoot craps, made legendary brisket, and planned family vacation road trips. He loved researching and buying stocks and "counting his money" every day. He was known for his colloquial sayings and clever turns of phrase.

For more than 20 years he served as a football official, earning the respect of coaches, players and fellow officials for his fairness, steady presence, and deep knowledge of the game. He was active in the Lonestar Conference of College Football and in the Southwest Football Officials Association, serving as the president in 1986.

One constant throughout his life was his dedication to the Ancient Free & Accepted Masons. He was initiated in 1971 at Parson's Lodge and received his 50 year of service award in 2021. He was endowed at Brazos Union and Sul Ross lodges, active in the Order of the Eastern Star and served in the Sojourners. He served as Worshipful Master of Brazos Union, Tiler of Sul Ross, and District Deputy Grand Master in 2020-2021.

In the last 20 years of his life, he and Martha, often joined by friends and family, embarked on 49 cruises to locales all over the world. He was initially reluctant to try it, afraid he would feel "cooped up" but he quickly grew to love it and regularly searched for the next good deal. If too much time passed between trips, he would say he was "land locked." He loved traveling and he truly never met a stranger.

Above all, Jerry was a loving and devoted husband, father and grandfather. He was exceptionally proud of his family and children and never missed an opportunity to brag about their accomplishments. He cherished time spent with them, both on and off the water.

The family would like to thank the team at Enhabit Home Health and Hospice who cared for Jerry at the end of his life, especially the nurses and caregivers J. Copto, B. Jutson, T. Hodge and J. Thatcher.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Brazos Union Mason's Scholarship Fund in Memory of Jerry Johnson to Brazos Union Masonic Lodge #129, 107 S. Main St. #200, Bryan, TX 77803.