89R21201 DSH-D
By: Alvarado, et al. S.R. No. 333
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, The Capitol community is mourning the loss of Gordon
Robert Johnson, who passed away on March 16, 2025, at the age of 63;
and
WHEREAS, The son of Judith Cissna Scott Johnson and Robert
Ellis Johnson, Gordon Johnson was born in Dallas on December 26,
1961; his family moved to Austin when he was a child, and he
practically grew up at the Capitol, where his father served as House
parliamentarian and as executive director of the Texas Legislative
Council; after earning a bachelor's degree in engineering from
Texas A&M University and a law degree from South Texas College of
Law, he practiced briefly in Houston; he spent the rest of his
career in the family law firm, Johnson and Johnson, representing
clients in both the public and private sectors; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Johnson had a deep understanding of the inner
workings of state government, and he was able to resolve even the
most complicated or controversial of issues; an advisor to numerous
public officials, he served for many years as political director
for House speaker Joe Straus, and he was instrumental in securing
passage of the Texas Racing Act and other key legislation;
good-natured and generous with his time and knowledge, he was a
mentor to many; and
WHEREAS, Above all, Mr. Johnson was devoted to his loved
ones; he spent countless happy hours watching his son, Reed, play
sports, and they enjoyed many adventures together, from
international travel and deep sea fishing to hunting and working on
the ranch; eventually, he knew the joy of welcoming a
daughter-in-law, Taylor, and granddaughter, Jemma, into his
family, and his fulfilling 28-year marriage to Julie Johnson
brought him four treasured stepchildren; deeply kind, he cared for
a number of foster dogs; and
WHEREAS, While the death of Gordon Johnson brings
immeasurable sorrow to his family and friends, he leaves behind a
legacy that will long be treasured by all those who held him dear;
now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the Senate of the 89th Texas Legislature
hereby pay tribute to the life of Gordon Robert Johnson and extend
sincere sympathy to the members of his family: to his wife, Julie
Hull Johnson; to his son, Reed Johnson, and his wife, Taylor; to his
grandchild, Jemma Johnson; to his siblings, Robert Ellis Johnson
Jr. and his wife, Teresa, Stanley Scott Johnson, and Karen Johnson
Pounds; to his stepchildren, Jennifer Coffee O'Neill, Elizabeth
Coffee McQueen, Dr. Katherine Coffee Janus, and Benjamin Coffee;
and to his many other relatives and friends; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
prepared for his family and that when the Texas Senate adjourns this
day, it do so in memory of Gordon Johnson.