SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 333
In Memory
of
Gordon Johnson
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 State of Texas, 89th
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.
Alvarado
Bettencourt Hall King Bettencourt Hall King
Bettencourt Hall King
Blanco Hancock Menéndez Blanco Hancock Menéndez
Blanco Hancock Menéndez
Cook Hinojosa of Hidalgo Miles Cook Hinojosa of Hidalgo Miles
Cook Hinojosa of Hidalgo Miles
Eckhardt Hinojosa of Nueces Nichols Eckhardt Hinojosa of Nueces Nichols
Eckhardt Hinojosa of Nueces Nichols
Flores Hughes Parker Flores Hughes Parker
Flores Hughes Parker
Gutierrez Johnson West Gutierrez Johnson West
Gutierrez Johnson West
Hagenbuch Zaffirini Hagenbuch Zaffirini
Hagenbuch Zaffirini
Patrick, President of the Senate
________________________________
President of the Senate
I hereby certify that the
above Resolution was adopted by
the Senate on March 27, 2025, by a
rising vote.
________________________________
Secretary of the Senate
________________________________
Member, Texas Senate
Bettencourt Hall King
Blanco Hancock Menéndez
Cook Hinojosa of Hidalgo Miles
Eckhardt Hinojosa of Nueces Nichols
Flores Hughes Parker
Gutierrez Johnson West
Hagenbuch Zaffirini