John R. Johnson

John Robert Johnson, 73, of Mabank, Texas, passed away at his home on September 25, 2025, after a hard-fought battle with cancer. John was born on September 18, 1952, in Temple, Texas, to J.E. and Betty Johnson. John's early childhood was spent in Arlington, Texas before moving to Corsicana, Texas in 1966.
A 1971 graduate of Corsicana High School, John was a valued member of the Tiger football team. He remained lifelong friends with many of his teammates. After graduation, John continued working for Johnson Trucking Company, where he began working at the age of 14.
John married the love of his life, Sharon Lee Hennig on June 15, 1974, and they had two children, Heather Lee and John Robert II. They built a life in Corsicana where they lived for the next 37 years before packing up and moving to Corpus Christi in 2011. There they purchased a home across the street from their oldest granddaughters. This move was one of many big sacrifices that were made in his lifetime to make the people he loved happy.
After over 50 years working as a diesel mechanic, John finally retired from Ainsworth Trucking in Robstown, Texas, in 2020. That same year, John and Sharon relocated to Cedar Creek Lake, the location of their first date in 1972, to enjoy their retirement and be closer to family and friends.
John was a hard worker. His hobbies and days off would be considered hard labor for most people. He took great pride in his yard work and barbeque skills and he was always eager to lend a hand to anyone that needed it. He did the jobs no one else wanted to do. He did the hard things, usually the hard way, but he did them so others didn't have to. He had a great love of cars and boats, and had many over the years.
He had a love for fishing and being on the water, but mostly he enjoyed spending his time with family, especially his grandchildren. Over the years he attended countless softball games, dance performances, award ceremonies, graduations, youth football and baseball games and cheer performances. His love and support for his grandchildren were abundant. In recent years, he looked forward to lunch with old friends and reminiscing. John and Sharon enjoyed hosting company at the lake and taking sunset cruises on the water. John also loved a bargain and spent a great amount of time hunting the best grocery bargains and splitting plate lunches with his beautiful wife. He
made the most of the time he had to travel and watch his youngest three grandchildren in all of their activities.
He will be remembered as a man who built his life on the foundation of faith, hard work, and unwavering commitment to his family and friends. He taught us that the most valuable things in life are not material, but the moments shared with those you love. We will miss our husband, father, brother, friend and Papa but find comfort that he is now at peace and know his love will live on forever in our hearts.
John is survived by his wife of 51 years, Sharon Johnson of Mabank, Texas; daughter, Heather Johnson Mayo and her husband Christopher Mayo of Malakoff, Texas; son, John Robert Johnson II and his wife, Marisa of The Colony, Texas ; and five beloved grandchildren, Hannah Mayo King and her husband Skyler King of Ennis, Texas; Lauren Mayo of Austin, Texas; Kennedy Johnson, Jack Johnson and Brock Johnson all of The Colony, Texas; sister, Beverly Fitzgerald, of Corsicana, Texas, and brother, Jerry Johnson and his wife Nancy of Corsicana, Texas. John also leaves behind many nieces, nephews, great-nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents James Edward Johnson and Betty Ruth Cody Johnson.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held for John at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Corsicana, TX, on Friday, October 3, 2025, at 10 a.m. He will be interred at Calvary Cemetery immediately following the Funeral Mass.
A rosary and visitation will be held Thursday evening, October 2, 2025, at 5:00 - 8p.m, at Corley Funeral Home in Corsicana, Texas.
Pallbearers will be Mark Burleson, Jason Gilstrap, James Johnson, Skyler King, James Marek, and Jamie Wyatt. Honorary Pallbearers are Harry Grounds, Mark Harrison and Jerry Johnson.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Immaculate Conception Catholic Church or James L. Collins Catholic School