John "Jack" Henry Johnson
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Jack's obituary
John Henry “Jack” Johnson
October 25, 1936 – June 30, 2025
John Henry Johnson, lovingly known as “Jack,” passed away peacefully on June 30, 2025, at the age of 88 at Houston Methodist Hospital Clear Lake in Nassau Bay, Texas. At the time of his passing, Jack was a cherished resident of The Crossings Retirement Community in League City, Texas.
Born on October 25, 1936, in Boston, Massachusetts, Jack was the beloved son of Gus Johnson and Kristina Henrikson Johnson. He attended Randolph, MA High School with the class of 1954. A very talented trumpet player, he was honored, as a junior, to be the first chair. At graduation he was awarded one of two ‘Randolph High School Scholarship Committee Scholarships’. Jack went on to study and earn his degree in Electrical Engineering from Northeastern University in Boston, MA and graduated in honor in 1959. He was inducted into NU’s chapter of Tau Beta Pi, a national engineering honor society.
Jack began his distinguished career at NASA in 1959 at Langley, Virginia. He later transferred to the Kennedy Space Center in Florida, where he worked in Tracking and Communication, before settling in Texas at the Johnson Space Center. He retired in 1989 after three decades of dedicated service to the nation’s space program.
Although he became an accomplished engineer, Jack had a love for music. As a junior in high school, he performed a trumpet solo “Trumpeter’s Lullaby” with the All-New England High School Orchestra of 1953 and played with the jazz band “Slip Stick Six.” Music remained one of his greatest passions throughout his life, especially the works of Miles Davis, the Dave Brubeck Quartet, and a wide range of classical compositions.
Jack found joy in life’s simple pleasures: time spent with family, playing bridge, the weekly Sip & Snack, and founding the monthly wine club at The Crossings. He never turned down a good steak from Perry’s and enjoyed the company and conversation that came with it.
He was preceded in death by his children Mark Johnson and Erik Johnson; and by his spouse's Jane Johnson and Barbara Baldwin. He is survived by his daughters Stacy Burkhalter and her husband Robby, and Shelly Jones and her husband Lance.
Jack is also survived by his siblings:
• Carl Norman Johnson and his wife Jean
• Eric Robert Johnson and his wife Cindy
• Ellen Williamson and her husband Peter
His legacy continues through his grandchildren:
Cindy Helf (Neal), Michael Elliott (Melissa), Amanda Gonzales, Peter Gonzales, Cory Gonzales, and Lance Jones
And his great-grandchildren:
Camden Helf, Annabelle Helf, Claire Helf, Alice Elliott, Annie Elliott, Kevin Mohr, Henry Mohr, Benjamin Mohr, and Baret Mohr
A Celebration of Life is scheduled for Friday, July 18, 2025, at 11AM at The Crossings Retirement Community located at 255 N Egret Bay Blvd, League City, TX 77573, with Pastor Sheila Castellano officiating. There will not be a reception after the service, however, the Bistro (onsite) will be open.
The family wishes to extend their heartfelt thanks to The Crossings Retirement Community. Jack often remarked that he wished The Crossings had opened a few years earlier so he could enjoy the community’s amenities and friendships at a more active time in his life. A very special thank you goes to Olive, a nurse in the assisted living section, and to the compassionate nursing team at Methodist Hospital Clear Lake for the comfort and care they provided in his final days.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Jack’s memory may be made to a charity of your choice or to a music education program, in honor of his lifelong love for jazz and classical music.
Jack’s life was one filled with integrity, curiosity, music, and love. He will be dearly missed and fondly remembered by all who had the pleasure to know him.
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