Richard Gerald Johnson, 96, passed away on June 14, 2005, at Calder Woods in Beaumont following a brief illness. He was born on April 6, 1909 in Klamath Falls, Oregon to Mary Carey and Jerry Boone Johnson. Gerald left home at 14 for a life at sea, boarding a cargo tramp bound for Liverpool, England. His travels by ship took him to ports around the world from London to New Orleans and from the Orient to Washington State. He later became the third generation in his family to become a Sabine Pilot and a lifelong mariner. His grandfather, Captain Richard Carey, was the fifth area Sabine Pilot licensed by the State of Texas in 1889, and he served as Captain of the steam pilot boat Florida from 1910-1914. Gerald’s father, Captain Jerry Boone Johnson, was a Sabine Pilot from 1914-1946.
Gerald, after years at sea traversing the world, returned to Galveston where he attended navigation school and got his third mate license. He went to work on the Argonne for Standard Oil of New York. He served on a variety of ocean-going vessels for the oil industry and became the youngest sea captain at age 24 for Sun Oil Company, piloting seven of the company’s ships. He became a Sabine Pilot in 1937 and served for 37 years until his retirement in 1975.
In March of 1930, he married Lois Bodemuller of Beaumont and settled there to raise his family. They enjoyed 67 years of marriage. He was predeceased by his wife, Lois, his son, Dr. Richard Gerald Johnson, and his great-grandson, Travis Swan. He is survived by his daughter, Jean Gonsoulin and her husband Dewey of Beaumont; one sister, Amanda Self of Lake Charles; and a half-brother, Robert Boone Johnson of San Antonio. He is also survived by eight grandchildren: Richard Gerald Johnson, III and his wife, Laura, of San Antonio; Ellen Eakin and her husband, John, of Dallas; Douglas Johnson of Austin; Donald Johnson of South Texas; Amy Johnson Szewcyk and her husband, Eric, of Round Rock; Jean Gonsoulin of Houston; Anne Figueiras of Beaumont; and Dewey J. Gonsoulin, Jr. and his wife, Karen, of Houston. He is survived by 16 great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his daughter-in-law Billie Sue Johnson of Beaumont.
Throughout his life, he had a great love of the outdoors and enjoyed hunting and fishing. One of his pleasures in his retired life was his membership in the “Done Workin’” club and he was a favorite competitor at the domino table.
A visitation will be 5:00 P. M. until 7:00 P.M. Monday, June 20, 2005 at the mortuary. A graveside service will be 10:00 A.M. Tuesday, June 21, 2005 at Magnolia Cemetery under the direction of Broussard’s, 2000 McFaddin, Beaumont.
Memorial contributions may be made to the charity of your choice.
