Howard Franklin Johnson passed away Saturday, Oct. 26, 2013. Funeral: 11 a.m. Wednesday at Galbreaith-Pickard Funeral Chapel. Interment: Brock Cemetery in Brock. Visitation: 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at Galbreaith-Pickard Funeral Chapel. Howard's incredible journey started on May 12, 1922, when he became the first born to Harve Franklin Johnson and Bessie Maddux Johnson. Raised on a farm during the Depression, Howard learned the value of a nickel and kept it until he passed. After attending Brock High School, he happily farmed on the family land until 1942, when the Nazis came calling. Like most men of his day, he didn't wait for the draft; he volunteered. After basic training at Fort Wolters, Washington state was nothing more than a hiccup to serving in the 3rd Army under the command of Gen. George Patton. Being a country boy, he was assigned to the small arms sighting and repair. He received a battle star for the Battle of the Rhine River. He also learned to weld in the Army and was honorably discharged. Upon returning to Brock, he took a job with Gulf Oil, where he met and married the former Ellen Gwenelle Eagon, the first and last and only woman he ever kissed. They were transferred to Midland, where their son, James Franklin Johnson, was born. Howard was a welding inspector on the first continental pipeline built from West Texas to Delaware. Howard also inspected in Ecuador and other locations. After his retirement in 1985, he returned to his first love, the Weatherford area. They were proud members of Brock United Methodist Church. They attended church, volunteered, traveled extensively and enjoyed Weatherford. Gwenelle passed Aug. 5, 2003, leaving Howard to finish the journey alone. Howard was a member of the Brock Masonic Lodge for 64 years as well as a member of the Brock Eastern Star. He truly was one of the "greatest generation." He was preceded in death by his wife, Gwenelle, in 2003, and his sister, Wilma Alexander, in 2009. Survivors: Howard leaves behind his son, James F. Johnson; grandson, Tyler Johnson; brother, James "Sonny" Johnson; sister, Nina Howell; two nieces; and eight nephews.
Published in Star-Telegram on Oct. 29, 2013