In Memory

Glenn Edwin Johnson - Class Of 1969

Glenn Edwin Johnson

June 24, 1951 - June 8, 2022

 


 

Glenn Edwin Johnson was born in Charleston, SC to Betty Alford Johnson and Ragnar E. Johnson, both of Charleston, SC. Glenn was the oldest of 5 children. His father was a geologist, so Glenn’s family moved all over the country. He lived in Illinois, Montana, Oklahoma, Utah, Louisiana, and finally settled in Texas. He went to three high schools, including King High School in Corpus Christi and Westchester High School (Class of 1969)  in Houston, Texas.

Young Glenn especially loved scouting and reading books. And from a very young age, he developed a lifelong appreciation for fishing, camping and hiking (which he shared with his children and grandchildren). He discovered an interest in politics in middle school and was a champion debater in high school.

He attended Texas Christian University where being a TCU Horned Frog became an enduring passion. He was involved in student government as the Director of Student Programming, where he recruited various personalities, writers and politicians to speak, the most infamous being Gloria Steinem. Glenn majored in Government and History and had a focus in Russian history. He was involved in the Honors Colloquium and graduated in the class of 1973. Following his undergraduate education, Glenn went to the University of Texas School of Law.

Upon graduation to law school, Glenn moved to Houston to practice law where he met the lovely Deborah Faye Hill. Debbie and Glenn were married June 25, 1977. The young couple moved to Austin where Glenn was a hearings examiner for the Texas Railroad Commission. In that capacity, he met Dan Moody, Jr. who brought Glenn into Graves, Daugherty, Heron and Moody where he began the practice of oil and gas and energy law. Under Dan’s mentorship, Glenn became a partner. Glenn was admitted to the State Bar of Texas in 1976, the U.S. Supreme court in 1980, the U.S. Court of Appeals, Fifth Circuit, the U.S District Court, Southern District of Texas in 1976 and the U.S Court of Appeals, District of Columbia Circuit.

In 2001, Glenn joined Kelly, Hart and Hallman where he continued to practice oil and gas law, becoming one of the leading attorneys in the State of Texas in that field. His professional accomplishments have been recognized and honored by his inclusion in Best Lawyers in America since 1995. He was also identified as a “Super Lawyer” in Administrative Law in 2004 and thereafter, as published in Texas Monthly magazine. In 2021, he received the Ernest E. Smith Lifetime Achievement Award from the Texas Journal of Oil, Gas and Energy Law. One of the highlights of his career was when he successfully argued an oil and gas lease termination case before the Texas Supreme Court. He was a Founding Fellow for the Austin Bar Foundation and a Life Fellow for the Texas Bar Foundation. Glenn continued to be “of counsel” for KHH after moving to Lincoln City, Oregon in 2021.

He and Debbie raised two beautiful children, Jennifer and David, in Austin, Texas. They were members of First United Methodist Church. Glenn served as the

Chairman of the Administrative Board and Chair of the Staff Pastor Parish Relations Committee. He headed Stewardship committees and was on the Finance Committee. Most people at FUMC Austin remember him best for his involvement in various Bible Studies and classes. He taught Bethel Bible, Disciple Bible Study, Junior high and Senior Sunday School classes and the Fred Matthis Men’s Bible class Glenn received the Fred Matthis Teacher of the Year award in 1986.

A lifelong United Methodist, Glenn participated in Emmaus Walk #8 and served on many Walk to Emmaus teams. He met with the same Emmaus Reunion group for over 40 years, and attended the same Monday night men’s book group and Bible

study, “The Prodigals,” for over 30 years. Glenn was deeply committed to mission work, and he served on various Appalachia Service Project teams as well as teams that traveled to Russia to work with the Methodist church there. One of his favorite roles was being Santa Claus at Russian orphanage Christmas parties.

Glenn dedicated countless hours to his community. He used his expertise to do pro bono work for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Texas and he served on their board. He was elected to the Planning Commissions for the cities of Bastrop, TX and Lincoln City, Oregon. Glenn also used his legal expertise to support the Austin Youth Hockey Association.

He continued to be a lover of all things TCU and was especially proud of his Horned Frog football team. The highlight of Glenn’s TCU athletic experience was attending the TCU Horned Frogs defeat over the Wisconsin Badger to become the 2011 Rose Bowl Champions; TCU ended the season as the second ranked team in the nation. Go Frogs! He and Debbie created an endowed scholarship for History students at TCU, and Glenn was an active member of the Clark Society.

Throughout his life he was intensely interested in history, politics and theology. He loved discussing and debating all of these topics. Glenn took part in the political process in the Mighty Texas Task Force, a group of Republican attorneys who worked to ensure fair and legal presidential elections. He was a voracious reader. (And if anyone wants any of his books, you can come over to his house and pick some out.)

Glenn’s life was marked with his tremendous loyalty, integrity, laughter and love.

He is preceded in death by his parents. He is survived by his wife Debbie, daughter Jennifer Williams, son David Johnson (Sara Feaman), grandchildren Parker Williams and Sybil Williams (their father Sean Williams), his father-in law Herschel Hill (Aileen Maynard Hill), his brother Henry Johnson (Lorraine), sister Gayle Johnson, brother Eric Johnson (Theresa), Kathy Jordan (Jerry), and many nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to:

The Chapel by the Sea Head Start Ministry, where Glenn's deep commitment to education will be honored in the youngest students.

Chapel by the Sea

P.O. Box 25    Lincoln City, OR 97367

Or

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Texas, where Glenn’s commitment to children and youth in the Austin area can also be honored.

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Texas

4800 Manor Road    Austin, Texas 78723


https://www.statesman.com/obituaries/paco0233266


https://www.tributearchive.com/obituaries/25100955/glenn-e-johnson/lincoln-city/oregon/pacific-view-memorial-chapel


 

https://www.statesman.com/obituaries/paco0233266



 
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06/13/22 11:34 AM #1    

Kristin Buckley Dillon (Webb) (1969)

My deepest sympathies to his lovely bride, Debbie; and as we all celebrate Glenn's long and fruitful life, May we rejoice with Debbie that Glenn is seeing his Savior face to face! 🙏🏻✝️❤️🤗 ~Kristin Dillon Webb '69


06/14/22 10:05 AM #2    

Gary Michael Alletag (1969)

I was very saddened to hear about Glenn's passing.  Glenn moved to Houston from Corpus Christi and was my debate partner our senior year at Westchester.  Although we went our separate ways after high school (Glenn to TCU, me to UT), we hooked up again at UT Law School.  After practicing for a short time in Houston, Glenn moved to Austin to be a hearings examiner at the Texas Railroad Commission.  Thereafter Glenn returned to private practice where he became one of the preeminent attorneys practicing before the RR Commission.  I referred a number of my energy clients to Glenn over the years when they had issues with the RR Commission.  The last time I talked with Glenn he had moved to Oregon to be with family.  I will miss you old friend.  Rest in peace.


06/14/22 06:30 PM #3    

David Chapman Burdick (1969)

Don't believe I knew Glenn.  He was born exactly 6mo. after me.  Getting too close for comfoert for my passing.  RIP buddy...  dCb


06/15/22 08:25 AM #4    

Pascual Elortegui Goicoechea (1969)

Our sincerest condolences to the Johnson family. I was a classmate of Glenn's at Westchester, and oftentimes he and I were mistakenly taken as (look-alike) brothers, if for no other reason than we both wore black horn-rimmed glasses. I remember him as a likable fellow and still have a picture of him and dozens of (us) boys on "Army Day" when we took control of the school's central patio. Assistant Principal Dale Stafford's patience was taxed to the max and met us (all) there, quite upset at the event. Rest in peace Glenn, you've earned your honorable legacy around these parts. God Bless you, my friend.   Pascual Goicoechea; class of 1969    


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