Obituary of Joseph Edward Johnson Jr.

Joseph Edward (Ed) Johnson Jr., 79, died peacefully on Monday, December 9th, 2024 at his home in Parker County, Texas. His last moments were the happiest and healthiest in years. 

Ed was the son of Blanche Dabney Johnson and J. Edward Johnson.  He was born in Brownwood, Texas on May 21, 1945. His family moved to Dallas when he was four, then back to Brownwood 10 years later, where he played for Coach Gordon Wood and graduated from Brownwood High School in 1963. He attended the University of Oklahoma before earning a degree in psychology from Howard Payne University. He also studied ranching at Texas Tech and business at the University of Texas in Austin. 

The trailblazing American spirit was strong in Ed, who grew up around horses and worked with them in various capacities throughout his life. As a dude ranch cowboy, he toured guests through the Arizona saguaros and into the Adirondack pines of upstate New York. He fine-tuned his ranching skills at the famed Anacacho Ranch in south Texas before serving as Director of Horse Operations at Buena Suerte Ranch in Roswell, where he cared for ‘Go Man Go’, the legendary quarter horse and three-time AQHA world champion. 

By the late 70s, the Dylanesque stone of his youth stopped rolling, and Ed settled in Fort Worth where, in 1978, he founded Southwest Roofing Company and remained its President for the rest of his life. For 46 years, the company’s reputation preceded itself as Ed displayed a staggering determination to fulfill his contracts, uphold his word, and provide for his family.  

In 1979, he married Julie Johnson, with whom for 20 years he raised their sons Edward (1980) and Jack (1986). The family of four was active at Arlington Heights United Methodist Church, where Ed later served as Chairman of the board of trustees and Lay Leader. 

Ed loved music, played both the guitar and piano, and would write and share his original songs with family any time a tune came to him. He also loved the wholesomeness and authenticity of amateur athletics, TCU football in particular. The only places he advertised his business were in the programs supporting his sons’ high school sports teams and the TCU Horned Frogs. Without question, attending their games (any sport) was his favorite family pastime, picking up where he left off when his grandchildren became old enough to compete. 

In 2001, he married Mary Lynn Austin (son Ryan Harper), who brought joy back into his life and shared his love for horses. The re-kindling of their equestrian passions crystallized in 2012, when the couple moved from Fort Worth to Parker County. There, they found their paradise: a 50-acre farmstead their friends called the “prettiest place in the county”, in whose pastoral countryside they raised horses once again, bringing full-circle a part of themselves which never left. Mary remained the love of Ed’s life and faithful companion until the end.  

Ed dwelled in the paradoxes of the human condition, oscillating between its contraries. He was a serious man who loved humor. He was inquisitive but private, living on a farm but working in the city. He could appreciate the artisanship of a Borrelli dress shirt, but preferred to wear long-sleeved tees. He’d call attention to the relief pattern in the handle of the antique spoon he was holding, then plunge it into a cup of Tapioca pudding for his dinner.  

Ed was a dutiful and obedient Christian. Of God’s love, he was most certain, and of Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount did he abide. He started the Vic Thompson Memorial Scholarship fund and gave generously to innumerable charities over the years, including Kairos Prison Ministries, Race Track Chaplaincy of America, and Union Gospel Mission. Reading the Bible daily, and the work of C.S Lewis, had life-giving influence for the Ed. 

Nine months before his passing, he was hospitalized for an ailing heart. While there, between shortened breaths and facing an uncertain future, he told his son: “Life is hard, Jack…life is hard…but once you start to accept that…it gets a little easier.” 

Ed watched his nine grandchildren laugh and play over Thanksgiving, taking joy in the promise of a tenth. His heart was full, he was happy, and at peace. 

Ed is survived by his devoted wife, Mary Johnson; son Edward Johnson, III and wife Jessica Maxwell (children Vivian, Graham, Lucy, and Clara); son Jack Johnson and wife Kylie (children Nolan and Norris); son Ryan Harper and wife Ludovica Ferme (children Lavinia, Hadrian, and Ottavia); brother Mitchell Johnson (son Philip) and wife Svetlana; brothers-in-law, Greg Austin and wife Linda; and Brant Austin. He was preceded in death by his sisters Kathleen Dabney and Elizabeth Johnson. 

Ed’s Funeral service will be held at Arlington Heights United Methodist Church, 4200 Camp Bowie Blvd., Fort Worth, on Thursday, December 19th at 1:00 PM, with a reception in the atrium. Private burial to follow. Visitation will be held at Thompson’s Harveson & Cole Wednesday, December 18th from 6:00 - 8:00 PM.  

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Union Gospel Mission or Meals on Wheels. The family wishes to extend their gratitude to the entire staff of Southwest Roofing Company, including Joe Kinnick, Rafael Santillan, Jose Ramos, Daniel Bonilla, Petro and Frank Martinez, Ruben Gastelum, and Oscar and Juan Ontiveros, who profoundly affected the meaningfulness of his life’s work.