Robert Henry Johnson, always known to his family and friends as “Bob”, passed from this world on April 17, 2020, at ninety-five years of age.

Bob was born on February 16, 1925, to Gid Robert Johnson and Laveta Alice Barber Johnson in Seminole, Oklahoma.  Bob was the oldest of eight siblings.

Bob grew up during the Great Depression.  After graduating from high school in Arp, Texas, he joined the United States Army Air Corp and fought as a top turret gunner on a B-24 in World War II.  He was a participant in the infamous day-light bombing raids on Ploesti, Romania and in 1944 Bob was shot down and imprisoned in Samokav and Shumen, Bulgaria.  His war years, captivity, liberation and return to Bulgaria in 2004 were captured in the book gidi gidi boom boom, written by Bob and published in 2006.  His life experiences in the Great Depression and World War II shaped his character into one of a fighter and survivor.

After his liberation from prison camp, Bob returned to Fort Worth Army Air Field in Fort Worth, Texas, where he met Rose Marie Hudson. They were married on August 15, 1945. Their marriage endured until his death.

Bob went to college under the GI Bill and graduated from Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas, in 1949.  He studied business and accounting courses, and soon after graduation he passed the Texas qualifying exams to become a Certified Public Account.  Bob maintained his CPA throughout his life.  He furthered his education later with a master’s degree from Texas Christian University in Fort Worth Texas.

Bob and Rose Marie had four children. David Oran was born June 7, 1949. Gary Craig was born January 27, 1951. Mary Marlene was born October 26, 1954. Kelly Marie was born February 28, 1961.

Bob’s primary professional pursuit was in the oil and gas industry.  He worked for several companies over his lifetime including Southland Corporation in Dallas, Texas, Texas Crude Oil Company in Fort Worth, Texas, and Perry R. Bass, also in Fort Worth.  He also did private petroleum accounting and consulting for many years until his retirement late in life.  Under the banner of a business he started and owned called Six Square Corporation (SSC) he marketed a novel software package for oil and gas accounting that he himself had created called Oilpak.  He served on the boards of directors for several entities in Fort Worth, Texas, including the Petroleum Club and Aztec Manufacturing. Bob helped to start other businesses with family members including a Ford dealership in East Texas, a freight line business in East Texas, a family owned mineral holding company, a real estate investment company, and others.

Bob had many interests. He was an avid reader.  In his younger adult life, he served as a deacon and Sunday school teacher in the Presbyterian churches that his family attended.  He enjoyed lake life and boating with family at their lake property in Wood County, Texas, near Quitman.  He looked forward to annual hunting trips to New Mexico with family and business friends.  He derived great joy in researching and writing his wartime narrative.  Bob loved his dogs.  In his older years he enjoyed taking the dogs for daily walks in the park across from his long-time Fort Worth home and residence.  He enjoyed playing golf, watching sports including high school, college and professional levels.  He took great pride in the accomplishments of his children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. He was beloved by all of them.

Bob was preceded in death by both his parents, his brother Glen and his sister Dean.  He is survived by five siblings including brothers Dale and Roger and sisters Eva Davison, Cloe York and Carolyn Parker.  He is also survived by his wife of seventy-four years, all four of his children, twelve grandchildren, and seventeen great grandchildren.  All will miss him.