Dennis Gayle Johnson's Obituary
Dennis Gayle Johnson passed into the arms of his Savior, Jesus Christ, on Friday, August 22, 2025, with his family at his side. Gayle (as his family and friends called him when he was young) was the only child born to Tommie and Alma Johnson on February 1, 1934. He was born in the east half of a large white house directly across the road from the Vaughan Community School in Hill County where his father was a rural school principal. Although he was an only child, he seldom felt alone because they lived on the school grounds. From his earliest memories he could recall the excitement of waiting for the recess bell to ring. When Gayle was six years old, his father became principal at London ISD near Corpus Christi, Texas and moved the family to South Texas. Gayle’s early life centered around a few activities that were influenced by his mother and father. The school playground was his playground. Because of his father’s coaching influence, he worked hard and diligently to develop skills in basketball and baseball. The church and its activities have been the nucleus of his life from early childhood and throughout his life. During the summers, Gayle’s father took to his hobby of carpentry and Gayle was his helper. Working with his father was the highlight of each summer’s activities. If the job was close to home, they would walk, and Gayle would pull his little red wagon loaded with the tools to do the day’s job. In eighth and ninth grade Gayle attended school in the oil rich community of Petronila where he enjoyed many pleasant hours playing in the gym that was at their backdoor and working in the wood working shop. In the summer of 1948, Gayle’s father became principal of Hillsboro High School and moved the family back to Hill County. Gayle finished his high school education in Hillsboro where his life centered around sports, dating, and part time jobs. Gayle graduated from North Texas State College in the spring of 1956 achieving good grades, staying in good with the draft board, and enjoying an enriching social life. He pledged Theta Chi Fraternity because of its social and fraternal benefits.
With degree in hand, he was now ready to go out and tackle the world; however, Uncle Sam decided to give him an army job for 2 years. The U. S. Army changed his name to Dennis. October 1956 found Dennis on his way to Fort Bliss, Texas, Fort Knox, Kentucky, and finally ending up for 16 months in Fort Polk, Louisiana. He obtained an early release to attend summer school in the summer of 1958. The School of Architecture at the University of Texas was his choice for furthering his education. By working half-time, he managed to meet his financial obligations for 2 years. Different state jobs were his source of income, with the most interesting of these being Assistant Sergeant of Arms for the Texas Senate.
In the fall of 1960, Dennis decided to use his teaching certificate and become an art instructor in the Richardson Independent School District. He decided that he liked being an educator and felt that he could make a difference. Dennis moved to North Texas and bought his first and only house on Magnolia Street in Richardson.
Dennis met Jean through the introduction of mutual friends. Jean was also a teacher in Richardson ISD. They dated for less than a year and married on August 3, 1963. Following their wedding in Liberty, Texas, Dennis and Jean honeymooned in California. Jean was the love of his life from the beginning. They were best friends, and he loved and cherished her always. In October 1964, Dennis and Jean welcomed their son, Darrin Gayle. In November 1967 their family grew again with the birth of their daughter, Darby Jean. Darrin and Darby treasure many memories of vacations, holidays, sports, school events, church activities, arts and crafts, home projects, and everyday life shared with their dad and mom. Together Dennis and Jean shared many special moments with their children and with friends throughout their years in Richardson.
As Dennis continued his career in RISD, he became a coach at Richardson High School, then Assistant Principal at West Junior High School. When the district opened Bowie Elementary School, he accepted the position as the first principal of the newest school opening on La Manga Drive. His teachers, staff, students, and families valued his caring leadership at Bowie for 24 years. He led the school as it grew to over 1000 students, and the building was expanded several times to support the growing number of students in the neighborhood.
Dennis and Jean were active members of First Baptist Church of Richardson. They developed countless dear friendships through Sunday School, mission activities, student ministry, and many other activities with the church. Dennis was the go-to fix-it man for broken or damaged furniture that was donated to the church garage sale. Dennis served as superintendent of the primary Sunday School department for several years. He served on various committees over the years and served as a deacon. He worked alongside friends from church to support Austin Street Shelter. When Rachel and Sarah were in preschool, Dennis and Jean joined a group of grandparents and grandchildren to sort and box shoes at Buckner Shoes for Orphan Souls. For many years, Dennis developed close friendships and treasured the time with his buddies over breakfast or lunch. After Jean passed away, he grieved alongside friends who also lost their wives and began an impromptu widower / caregiver ministry that continues to meet for lunch each month.
Dennis and Jean loved to travel and took numerous road trips. Darrin and Darby remember road trips and camping trips to Red River, The Grand Tetons, Seattle, Columbia, and Washington DC. After they retired, Dennis and Jean traveled with friends to Alaska, Maine, Tennessee, North Carolina, The Midwest, Canada, and more.
Dennis was a skilled craftsman, woodworker, and artisan. He was energized by building beautiful and useful woodcrafts and works of art. His home is a showcase of his handiwork from the cabinetry and bookcases throughout the home, to the decorative handmade cars and trucks, birdhouses, Christmas decorations, and stained-glass artwork in the window. He enjoyed working artistically with his hands and encouraged his granddaughters to share their artistic talents through art, music, and dance.
Throughout his life, Dennis loved, encouraged, guided, and led his family, his school community, and his friends with a quiet and gentle spirit and prayerful assurance. His integrity and faithfulness have been an example to all who know him. He followed the example of his Savior, Jesus, in loving those around him. The Holy Spirit produced in Dennis love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.
Dennis Gayle Johnson is preceded in death by his wife, Jean Johnson, his father Tommie Johnson, his mother Alma Johnson, his cousin Gary Cheek, and his cousin Charles Roberson. He is survived by his son, Darrin Johnson and his wife, Terri of Plano, Texas, his daughter, Darby Johnson and her husband, Don of Richardson, Texas, his granddaughter, Rachel Johnson of New York, New York, his granddaughter, Sarah Johnson of Plano, Texas, and his cousin Loraine Roberson of New Braunfels, Texas.
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.
~Galatians 5:22-23 NKJV
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