His family, friends and employees will always remember his motto – “MAKE IT HAPPEN!”
John Fletcher Johnson, owner and founder of Johnson Oil Co. and Tiger Tote Food Stores passed away Saturday, July 20 at his home in Gonzales, following a lengthy illness. He was 82. Johnson was a member of the Texas Food & Fuels Association, as well as the National Advisory Group (NAG).
According to his obituary in the Seguin Gazette, Johnson was born in Gonzales on March 29, 1931 to W.T. and Mayme Gunn Johnson.
Fletcher began his lifetime of achievements his senior year at Gonzales High School where he was named Best All Around Athlete.
In 1947 at the age of 16, he joined the 36th Division of the Texas National Guard. During his 22 years of service he served as company commander of the Gonzales Unit and upon his retirement held the rank of Major. He attended Texas A&M University where he excelled in pole vaulting. In 1950 he returned to Gonzales to run the family ranch and on Nov. 25 of 1950, Fletcher married the love of his life Jane Gray Gibson in the Gonzales First United Methodist Church.
In 1958 the local Humble Oil facility became available and he purchased it and operated with three employees. In 1985 he built his first convenience store and Tiger Tote was born. There are now 22 stores and five bulk plants with over 500 employees.
Fletcher’s first and true career was his ranch—the Cinco J. It was his one and only “hobby.” In 1998 Fletcher received the Outstanding Rancher Award from the Gonzales County Soil and Water Conservation District. And in 2003 he was awarded an honorary membership as Major in the Texas Rangers Foundation. He and his wife have twice restored the historic Braches Home that sits on the ranch.
Always a generous supporter of the First United Methodist Church, the livestock show, Fire Department, EMS, Memorial Hospital and Relay for Life, Fletcher was proud of his country, his state and his hometown.
His family, friends and employees will always remember his motto – “MAKE IT HAPPEN!”
Fletcher leaves behind his wife of 62 years, Jane Gibson Johnson, three daughters, Ellen Johnson of New Braunfels, Judy Gipson and husband Randy of Bryan, and Janet Burke and husband Mike of Seguin, three grandsons, Jeffrey Mills, Garrett and Tanner Hale, great-grandson, Kohen Mills, brother, W.G. “Bill” Johnson and wife Bobbie of Corsicana, sisters, Dorothy Springs and husband Al of Austin and Ruby Lindeman of Seguin.
He is further survived by a sister-in-law, and brother-in-law, Suzanne and Hardy Hamm and brother-in-law, Charles Gibson all of Winnsboro, Texas and 13 nieces and nephews.
Funeral services to honor Fletcher and his family are as follows:
Wednesday, July 24, 2013
Funeral Services: 10 a.m.
First United Methodist Church
426 St. Paul St.
Gonzales TX 78629
(830) 672-8521
Seydler Hill Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements. Internment will follow at the Braches House on Shiner Highway, outside Gonzales. In lieu of flowers the family is requesting that donations be made to: Gonzales County EMS or First United Methodist Church of Gonzales.