Richard Barry "Dick" Johnson
Richard Barry "Dick" Johnson
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Richard Johnson Obituary
Obituary published on Legacy.com by Grimes Funeral Chapels - Kerrville on Jan. 2, 2026.
Richard ''Dick'' Barry Johnson (1943 - 2026) passed away peacefully on January 1st, 2026 early morning in Kerrville, TX.
Dick was born in Le Grande, Oregon to parents J. Leroy and L. Marie Johnson. The family moved throughout his childhood and teen years from Oregon, to Idaho and settling in Washington. He reflected often of his love for choir at school and how that helped him through some rough years. Dick loved to fish as well and loved a good Salmon.
With encouragement from Lloyd his second eldest brother he packed his bags and set out for a Bible college in Bloomington, Minnesota after graduating high school. It was here that he attended Bethany College of Missions (BCOM) at Bethany Fellowship. Bethany was a life changing experience for him. It was here that he truly met Jesus and his life was changed. He openly shared how God had rescued him and set him free. Dick's new freedom in Christ was so real and powerful that it set him on a course of telling thousands upon thousands about the love of Jesus and His power to set people free.
Bethany was the catalyst for Dick's greatest life changing events, meeting Jesus and the love of his life, a beautiful, young lady from San Antonio, Texas; Alberta ''Birdie'' M. Avila. They were married at Bethany Church in '68.
After their graduation '67 and wedding '68 they set out to Pastor a small church in Wood River, Nebraska. Here they learned life together as a young new couple facing the realities of work and daily life mixed with ministry. After a couple of years, they took up the calling to head to the mission field.
They moved to Puerto Rico in 1971, while there they had 2 sons born to them in the early 70's. The ministry location changed from PR to Texas to Miami, Florida and returning to Puerto Rico. While in Florida and PR they built very deep friendships with many locals and with other missionaries. Dick loved recommending books while telling people about Jesus and missions.
Their lives as missionaries took a short break in 1993. A move back to Bethany in Minnesota allowed them time to seek the Lord and His next steps for their lives. This next chapter of their journey found them moving to Matehuala, Mexico in '95, just the 2 of them. The boys had found residence in the places that had been home in PR and MN. The following 13 years held so many new life adventures. God used them to touch the lives of so many peoples and families throughout this time in Mexico.
During the last few years of their time in Mexico they had crossed paths with a couple from a ministry called Commission to Every Nation. It became very clear to them that this was to be their next move. They joined CTEN in 2006 as Pastoral Care and moved to Kerrville, Texas where they are headquartered. They gave of themselves freely to the needs of so many. Both to missionaries, to their 2 sons, to family, to the many close and far friends and all who crossed paths with them. Partial Retirement in '22 due to COVID brought years of mentoring and being parents to many of the friends that they had made during their time in ministry.
Dick was a blessed man, married to a wonderful bride, his Love, Birdie; a father to Miguel and Gibbie who both serve the Lord, as well as having the title Father and Grandpa to so many who needed a dad. The Johnson home has always been a welcome oasis to those in need. Dick loved singing and fishing, was an avid reader of books that encouraged a deeper love and a more fruitful life in Jesus.
Dick is survived by his spouse Birdie and children Miguel, his wife Michelle, and Gabriel, and his wife Kari as well as his youngest brother Gary Johnson. He is preceded in death by his parents J. Leroy and L. Marie as well as his older brother Orland, Lloyd and sister Louel.
Dad lived a full life touching more people than I could ever know or imagine. He was my friend; my biggest fan and I loved his pursuit of Jesus. I couldn't be prouder of my father!
-Gabriel ''Gibbie'' Johnson
An Open House will be held Friday January 16th from 2pm to 4pm in memory of Richard B. "Dick" Johnson at the Commission Centre, 815 Jefferson St. Kerrville TX.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Commission Ministers Network: Richard Johnson https://cmnetwork.denarionline.com/ministers
Dick was born in Le Grande, Oregon to parents J. Leroy and L. Marie Johnson. The family moved throughout his childhood and teen years from Oregon, to Idaho and settling in Washington. He reflected often of his love for choir at school and how that helped him through some rough years. Dick loved to fish as well and loved a good Salmon.
With encouragement from Lloyd his second eldest brother he packed his bags and set out for a Bible college in Bloomington, Minnesota after graduating high school. It was here that he attended Bethany College of Missions (BCOM) at Bethany Fellowship. Bethany was a life changing experience for him. It was here that he truly met Jesus and his life was changed. He openly shared how God had rescued him and set him free. Dick's new freedom in Christ was so real and powerful that it set him on a course of telling thousands upon thousands about the love of Jesus and His power to set people free.
Bethany was the catalyst for Dick's greatest life changing events, meeting Jesus and the love of his life, a beautiful, young lady from San Antonio, Texas; Alberta ''Birdie'' M. Avila. They were married at Bethany Church in '68.
After their graduation '67 and wedding '68 they set out to Pastor a small church in Wood River, Nebraska. Here they learned life together as a young new couple facing the realities of work and daily life mixed with ministry. After a couple of years, they took up the calling to head to the mission field.
They moved to Puerto Rico in 1971, while there they had 2 sons born to them in the early 70's. The ministry location changed from PR to Texas to Miami, Florida and returning to Puerto Rico. While in Florida and PR they built very deep friendships with many locals and with other missionaries. Dick loved recommending books while telling people about Jesus and missions.
Their lives as missionaries took a short break in 1993. A move back to Bethany in Minnesota allowed them time to seek the Lord and His next steps for their lives. This next chapter of their journey found them moving to Matehuala, Mexico in '95, just the 2 of them. The boys had found residence in the places that had been home in PR and MN. The following 13 years held so many new life adventures. God used them to touch the lives of so many peoples and families throughout this time in Mexico.
During the last few years of their time in Mexico they had crossed paths with a couple from a ministry called Commission to Every Nation. It became very clear to them that this was to be their next move. They joined CTEN in 2006 as Pastoral Care and moved to Kerrville, Texas where they are headquartered. They gave of themselves freely to the needs of so many. Both to missionaries, to their 2 sons, to family, to the many close and far friends and all who crossed paths with them. Partial Retirement in '22 due to COVID brought years of mentoring and being parents to many of the friends that they had made during their time in ministry.
Dick was a blessed man, married to a wonderful bride, his Love, Birdie; a father to Miguel and Gibbie who both serve the Lord, as well as having the title Father and Grandpa to so many who needed a dad. The Johnson home has always been a welcome oasis to those in need. Dick loved singing and fishing, was an avid reader of books that encouraged a deeper love and a more fruitful life in Jesus.
Dick is survived by his spouse Birdie and children Miguel, his wife Michelle, and Gabriel, and his wife Kari as well as his youngest brother Gary Johnson. He is preceded in death by his parents J. Leroy and L. Marie as well as his older brother Orland, Lloyd and sister Louel.
Dad lived a full life touching more people than I could ever know or imagine. He was my friend; my biggest fan and I loved his pursuit of Jesus. I couldn't be prouder of my father!
-Gabriel ''Gibbie'' Johnson
An Open House will be held Friday January 16th from 2pm to 4pm in memory of Richard B. "Dick" Johnson at the Commission Centre, 815 Jefferson St. Kerrville TX.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Commission Ministers Network: Richard Johnson https://cmnetwork.denarionline.com/ministers
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
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