Jerry Lloyd Johnson

Jerry Lloyd Johnson (Pops), 84, of Hilltop Lakes, Texas, passed away peacefully on September 10, 2024, at home with Karla watching the hummingbirds.  He was born on July 30,1940, to S. Neal and Neva Johnson in Muskogee, Oklahoma.  He was an extremely proud graduate of Oklahoma State University and was a member of Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity.  This is where he met the love of his life, Diana.  They were married in 1961 and celebrated 62 years of marriage.  After graduation, he attended mortuary school and became a funeral director in Lawton, Oklahoma.  He then went on to work for Phillips 66 for 32 years in Kansas City, Kansas; Bartlesville, Oklahoma; and Pasadena, Texas.  After retirement, he and Diana built their dream retirement home at Hilltop Lakes and were long time residents.

Jerry and Diana picked Hilltop Lakes so he could play golf with his friends every day.  He loved playing golf, and he had 3 hole in ones.  He loved working in the yard and especially loved to mow.  He might have complained about all the work Diana would have him do in the yard, but rest assured, he loved it and was extremely proud of their beautiful yard and garden, because it kept him outside and away from Shasta.  Pops never met a stranger.  He would come out of the store with the life story of the cashier and yes, he would talk to everyone on the elevator.  You could always find him during porch time enjoying a glass of Malbec in the evening, listening to all the wind chimes, and watching all the birds with many friends stopping by.  He was an avid Santa Claus collector and so many of his friends would always bring him a Santa from their travels.  He loved Christmas like no other, and if it were up to him, he would leave the Christmas decorations up all year long.  One of his proudest achievements as a child was 12 years of perfect attendance – yes, he never missed a day of school.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Diana, his parents, and his sister, Nancy, and brother, Johnny.  He is survived by his children, Karla DeSousa (Jack) of Bella Vista, Arkansas, Craig Johnson of Hilltop Lakes, and Michelle Henson (Carter) of Willis, Texas; and his grandchildren Taryn and Brandon Johnson; Tony DeSousa; and Michael, Sean, Gregory, Annie, Reese Kathryn and Blake Henson. 

The family would like to thank Candace Morris and all the wonderful, caring people from Traditions Home Health who helped care for Pops this last year and became a part of our family, with a special thank you to Kameron Cooper and Danielle Johnson for having such a great rapport with Pops.

There will be a come & go Celebration of Life at their Hilltop home, 65 Golfview Drive, on Saturday, September 21st from 1:00-3:00 (we will have college football on, don’t worry).  Please come wearing some golf attire in OSU orange, plaid, or with Santas in memory of Pops and his love for golf, OSU, and Christmas time. Go all out this year decorating for Christmas while having a glass of wine and think of Pops.