Van Kirk Johnson, 57, passed away on September 10, 2015 in Austin, Texas. 

Born to Mr. and Mrs. Davis P. Johnson on February 9th, 1958. His parents preceded him in death.

He was baptized at an early age and became a member of Ebenezer Baptist Church of Austin, Texas. He attended school in Elgin ISD and John H. Reagan High School in Austin participating in the varsity band and earning first chair player on baritone horn and graduating in 1975. He attended Prairie View A. & M. and earned his B.S. degree from Texas Southern University in Houston, Texas in 1997.

His career began at an early age by becoming one of the youngest buyers for Sakowitz (a fine clothing and fur store) in Houston, Texas. Building upon those experiences, he became a sales representative at McKesson Pharmaceuticals in Houston, Texas.

Feeling a need for a new challenge and the influences of his parents as educators, Van became a substitute teacher at Reagan High School and as a result of his active participation with Austin ISD, he was offered and accepted a position as the attendance coordinator and he received recognition for successfully and continuously passing the attendance district audits for several years. Van also followed in his father's footsteps by becoming an entrepreneur and owned and operated "Anagram ESG". His final career move and adventure, which lead to his retirement was when he became an overseas contractor for the U.S. Army in Qatar. He had fulfilled one of his lifelong dreams by working overseas and experiencing different cultures.

He received numerous awards for his outstanding job performances and special recognition as a community services volunteer.  He enjoyed listening to his Jazz music, traveling, and cooking for friends and family.

He leaves to cherish his memory with his loving and devoted wife Barbara Ray-Johnson. Two sons, Van Kirk Johnson II, Houston, Texas and Brandon P. Johnson, Austin, Texas. Uncle Wallace Mercer, Jr. and Aunt Callista of Pensacola, Florida. Barbara Johnson-cousin, Prairie View, Texas. An unbreakable bond of men he referred to as his brothers, (Edward Taylor, Mark Williams, Alvin Roy, Cliff Frugaé, John (Buck) Thompson, J.D. (Jimmie) Madison, and Bill Stanley. Some remarkable women he referred to as his sisters, (Sister Carolyn Carter, Sister Ann Frugaé, Sister Jessie Mercer-Carson, and Sister Helen Thompson) and a host of family and friends.