Galen Johnson passed away peacefully in the loving care and company of family in Austin, Texas on Sunday, January 14, 2024 after a long journey with cancer. He was 69 years old.

Mr. Johnson is predeceased by father Emmett R. Johnson and mother Anna Belle Briggs Johnson of Mountain Brook, AL. He is survived by sister Gay Lynn Johnson of Birmingham AL, former spouse Cindy Johnson of Dallas, TX, son-in-law Thomas Gardner and daughter Barbara Leigh-Anne Johnson of Austin, TX.

Mr. Johnson was an outdoorsman and his love for golf, hunting and fishing took him around the world with outfits in Argentina, Alaska, Costa Rica, and Africa. He enjoyed spending time at Standing Rock Ranch in Atoka County, OK which he partially owned with a friend and business partner. Surveying nature, habitat creation, fence line perimeter checks, cooking steaks and gathering around the bonfire with friends and good stories were the ways he loved to spend his time. He enjoyed summer trips to Destin, Florida each year with his family where they read books on the beach, enjoyed gourmet meals, and went deep-sea fishing. Good jokes, tall tales, and fine cigars with friends in Birmingham, AL were favorite past times of his. 

In the final months of life, he adored spending time with his daughter Barbara, her husband Thomas and their dog Wolfy in Austin, TX. They went on regular driving tours together through the Hill Country, watched movies at the theater each week, enjoyed Sunday afternoon dinners while watching football games, and cheered for Thomas in his weekly bowling league.

During his career, Mr. Johnson served as Senior Vice President, Principal at Trammel Crow Company in Dallas, TX where he directed new business development in Healthcare Services in the Southern US. Partnering with medical professionals to develop, plan, construct and manage medical facilities fascinated him and he treasured the relationships he built with clients who oftentimes became friends. He was recognized for earning the “Highest Development Profit per Square Foot” in 2001 by Trammel Crow Company.

Before that, Mr. Johnson was appointed Vice President at Baylor Health Care System in Dallas, TX where he was responsible for the management of more than 2 million square feet of medical office buildings. During his two decades with Baylor, he directed all administrative responsibilities for the system-wide departments of Public Safety, Telecommunications and the Tom Landry Sports Medicine & Research Center. Additionally, he served as Baylor’s liaison with the City of Dallas and other civic and political organizations, including holding board member responsibilities in one of Baylor’s subsidiary architecture and construction corporations.

Mr. Johnson was a long-time member of many community groups, including the Salesmanship Club of Dallas where he volunteered consistently each year at the Byron Nelson Classic golf tournament. He was awarded the Silver Beaver Award by the Boy Scouts of America, recognizing exceptional character and distinguished service.

Mr. Johnson earned the Master of Science degree in Hospital and Health Care Administration from the University of Alabama in Birmingham in 1982, where he also met his former spouse, Cindy. He received the Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from Samford University in Birmingham, AL in 1978. He graduated from Tascosa High School in Amarillo, TX in 1972 and was affectionately known as “Peanut” during this chapter of his life. 

Consistently described by friends as the life of the party, the best dressed, always having a smile on his face and never having a negative word about anyone, Galen never missed a moment to have a good time and his sense of humor was sharp-witted, impeccably timed, and ever present until the bitter end. 

A toast to Galen will be held in the near future; details will follow. His daughter requests that friends and family share stories and remembrances of him below or emailed to Barbara.L.Johnson@gmail.com

Thanks for the love, the laughs, the memories.

https://www.dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/austin-tx/galen-johnson-11625007  (see photo gallery)