Rudolph Michael "Rudy" Johnson

Rudy passed away on February 1, 2025, at the age of 89 years old. He was born in Breckenridge, Texas, on February 25, 1935 to M.T. and Doris Johnson and his older sister, Jayme Henderson. They owned the Falstaff and Pearl beer distributorships for many counties throughout West Texas until they moved to Ft. Worth. The Texas Music Company was formed, and Rudy's roots were deep in the coin operated machine business.
He left for Peacock Military Academy in San Antonio in 1947 when he was 12 years old and later graduated in 1953 as a Cadet Officer when he was 18 years old. He attended Texas A&M University for a couple of years until he left to join the United States Army in 1955.
Rudy met the love of his life, Sylvia Lois Jobe, in Decatur, Texas. They were married on December 13, 1955, before they were stationed in Hawaii. His career in the Army took him – and occasionally his family – all over the world to places like Germany, Korea, Vietnam as well as many stateside assignments. As a young infantry man, he went to Airborne School and furthered his Army career as a Green Beret in the Army Special Forces.
After Sylvia passed away, he was later blessed to meet the second love of his life, Lois Anne, while in Michigan for training operations. She became his wife in 1976, and they lived in Germany until he retired to Comfort, Texas, after 24 years in the Army.
Rudy never gave up military life as he eventually joined the Texas State Guard. He also belonged to many organizations: the Masonic Lodge, American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Disabled American Veterans, Special Forces Association, Shriners, Peacock Military Association, and the Republican Party to name just a few. Rudy was committed to God, his country, and his family and friends. Rudy never met a stranger and loved to talk to everyone and for a long time! He was a life-long member of Comfort Baptist Church where he served as deacon. He also served as chaplain for his special forces chapter and Peacock Military Association functions.
Rudy loved animals and cared for them to the end. We have a saying in our family; he didn't allow hunting on their property because "we don't eat family members."
Those left behind are his wife of 49 years, Lois Ann Johnson, daughters, Rennye Johnson and Dana Struwe, grandsons, Michael Shawn Johnson and wife Renee, Jeremy Harmer and wife Megan, Ryan Harmer and wife Missy, Cody Harmer and wife Alyssa, and granddaughter Tabitha Marie Swatsell, great-grandsons Michael Dalton Johnson, Landon Harmer, Hunter Swatsell, Mason Swatsell, Paul Harmer, Carter Swatsell, and numerous nieces and nephews.
Rudy was preceded in death by his parents, sister, Jayne Henderson, and his beloved wife, and mother of his daughters, Sylvia Johnson.
A service to honor and celebrate Rudy's life will be held on Saturday, February 22, 2025, at 10:00 at Comfort Baptist Church. Visitation will begin at 9:00 a.m. Full military honors will be presented at 10:30 am.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations in Rudy's honor be made to any of the following:
Peacock Military Academy
Memorial Scholarship Fund
900 Montreux Avenue
Colleyville, TX 76034
Special Forces Association
Chapter XV Scholarship Fund
PO Box 33782
San Antonio, TX 78265-3782
(or via their website: https://www.sfa-xv.org/donation)
Or an animal shelter of your choice
Funeral arrangements under the direction of the Schaetter Funeral Home
Expressions of sympathy may be sent to www.schaetter.com