Roll Call Tribute

Gordon Robert Johnson 

December 26, 1961 - March 16, 2025 

Gordon Robert Johnson, age 63, a giant of Texas politics, passed away peacefully at home on March 16, 2025, surrounded by his family and friends.

Gordon Robert Johnson was born on December 26, 1961, in Dallas, Texas, to the late Robert “Big Daddy” Ellis Johnson and the late Judith Cissna Scott Johnson. From an early age, Gordon, or “Big G,” was always ahead of the curve and wise beyond his years.

Gordon moved to Austin as a small child. He practically grew up in the State Capitol, learning Texas politics during the years that his dad served as head of the Texas Legislative Council and House Parliamentarian. It is no surprise that Gordon achieved the enviable task of being both extremely smart and very popular in high school, where he was fondly known as “Sumo” by his classmates. Gordon graduated from Austin’s L.C. Anderson High School in 1979, attended Texas A&M University in College Station (where he graduated with a degree in Engineering), and then from South Texas College of Law, where he obtained a Doctor of Jurisprudence. Gordon practiced law in Houston for a short time before joining his father’s Austin law firm, Johnson and Johnson, for the remainder of his legal career.

In the years following his father’s death, Gordon and his brother Robert E. Johnson, Jr. (“Rob”) built upon the solid foundation that their father laid for the firm, successfully representing large and small entities on an array of issues in both the public and private sectors.

By all measures, Gordon had big shoes to fill as part of his father’s legacy. He more than exceeded those expectations. There was no political or legislative problem that Gordon could not solve - no matter how complicated or controversial. He could often be found with his beloved wife Julie tending to foster dogs or operating his “dozer” to clear land on his ranch, all while considering the next strategic recommendation he’d offer to an elected official in need of guidance. Gordon might have been at home in his overalls and camo Crocs, but he was truly the grand master of multidimensional chess.

In addition to successfully passing the Texas Racing Act, Gordon's political and legislative victories are too numerous to describe. He was too humble to name them all anyway. When asked, Gordon would always say that the greatest “victory” of his life was the privilege of being Reed Johnson’s dad. Gordon cherished his time watching Reed play sports, and there was no adventure that he would miss with Reed (“Shorty”). They loved traveling to other countries to deep-sea fish, hunting, working on the ranch, or driving down to Rockport, Texas, for a weekend of fishing. One of Gordon’s proudest moments was watching Reed marry his wonderful wife, Taylor, and having Jemma as his granddaughter.

In addition to his son Reed, Gordon is survived by his loving wife of 28 years, Julie Hull Johnson, brothers Robert Ellis Johnson, Jr. (Teresa) and Stanley Scott Johnson, and sister Karen Johnson Pounds, as well as nieces and nephews: Emily Pounds, Katie Rooney, Haley Melville, Sid Pounds, Gatlin Johnson, Jake Johnson and Ross Johnson. Gordon was predeceased by his parents and his sister, Anne Marie Johnson, who died in infancy.

Gordon is also survived by Julie’s four children who were lovingly part of a blended family he cherished during their marriage: Jennifer O’Neill (Patrick); Elizabeth McQueen (Chris); Dr. Katherine Janus (TJ); and Benjamin Coffee (Sarah), and two grandchildren Nora and Lila.

The Johnsons wish to thank Mrs. Leslie Pardue and her family for 26 years of friendship and unfailing loyalty to the Johnson family. They also extend their warmest appreciation to Gordon’s closest friends, who always stood by his side.

A celebration of life ceremony for Gordon will be held at 1:30 pm on Thursday, March 27, 2025, at Riverbend Baptist Church in Austin, Texas. There will be a reception at Riverbend following the memorial service.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Austin Great Dane Rescue (c/o Paws of Austin, www.pawsofaustin.org), The McDonald Observatory (www.mcdonaldobservatory.org), or the charity of your choice. 

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