Homer B. Johnson: Nov. 28, 1927 – March 17, 2021
Garland lost a genuine treasure Wednesday, March 17. Loved and respected by so many, Homer B. Johnson is often referred to as an icon, legend and mentor. He was also a great storyteller and was always willing to visit and share stories.
Johnson played football, basketball and baseball at Garland High School. He graduated in 1945. He then attended Texas A&M for one year and played on the football team. Then he transferred to North Texas State and played football there. He received his bachelor’s degree at North Texas then received a master’s degree from East Texas State University.
In 1948, he became a coach at Garland High School and after 10 years, was named head coach. Two years later, the Owls won their first district championship.
HIs coaching career was interrupted when he served in the Korean War from 1950-1953. He returned to GHS after serving in the military.
Johnson married Billie Wheat in 1951. Billie had a long career in banking and the couple served the community in numerous ways until her death in 2008.
In the early 1960s, he became the Garland Independent School District’s Athletic Director and received numerous honors and awards over the years. A few of those honors include the renaming in 1978 of Garland’s Memorial Stadium to Homer B. Johnson Stadium; his induction in 1989 into the Garland Sports Hall of Fame and in 1993, into the Texas High School Football Coaches of Honor. In addition, Johnson was inducted into the Texas Athletic Directors Hall of Honor in 1997 and the Texas Football Hall of Honor in 2001.
He hired many of the GISD coaches, and in turn, many feel that they owe their careers to Johnson. In a Facebook post, Sachse High School Campus Athletic Director Mark “Red” Behrens said, “His [Homer Johnson] guidance of my early days got me to where I am today, but the best was always his smile…”
Johnson was also instrumental in starting the girls’ athletic program in GISD. Under his leadership, all of the seven high schools have implemented a full array of girls’ sports opportunities.
He’s also credited with mentoring many student-athletes who are now or have been, on professional sports teams.
Service
You may view the service online just click on the link provided below.
https://na01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fboxcast.tv%2Fview%2Fcelebrating-the-life-homer-b-johnson-a5nwhzfr6po9tc3it3cy&data=04%7C01%7C%7C9f787d62bfc243a6f6ad08d8ea180eba%