Richard Lee Johnson was born June 23, 1932, in Austin, Texas. He went to meet the Lord on October 31, 2018 in San Antonio, Texas. He passed to the other side peacefully with those he loved most close by his side. Richard was preceded in death by his parents, Elmer and Nettie Johnson; siblings, Melvin Johnson, Tommie Hill, Eugene Johnson; and one son, Terry Lee Johnson. Richard is survived by Nelda, his wife of 64 years; his daughter, Gena René Caruthers and husband, Rev. David K. Caruthers of San Antonio. He leaves behind two grandchildren: Rev. Nathaniel Caruthers and wife Lauren, Ashley Davis and husband Rev. Aaron along with two great grandchildren that were the apple of his eye, Jack Watson Davis and Olivia Daryn Caruthers. Richard loved God, his family, the ministry and others. He was a true Christian. Honesty, integrity and loyalty were cornerstones of his moral foundation.
In 1932, Richard was born to Elmer and Nettie Johnson. Both of his parents were deaf. Life was never "easy" for Richard. At some point in his childhood, he suffered from polio which left him disabled, but it was not a deterrent; it only gave him determination to make it in life. At the age of 18, he went to the grocery store for his momma, and when he arrived home, the front door was locked and his clothes were on the porch. He told how he was his Grandma Henson's favorite so she let him stay with her ONE night. Richard entered the US Navy, proud to serve his country. After two years in the service, he was honorably discharged because his handicap from polio could no longer be hidden. In the early '50s Richard met and married Nelda Gardner. She was his one and only love for 64 years.
Richard came to know the Lord in 1953 and began his faithful service at Springdale United Pentecostal Church (later known as Westgate Apostolic Church and Christian Life Church). Throughout his life, Richard was faithful to one church. It changed names and pastors several times, but Richard remained faithful. He was faithful because his relationship was with God, not with a church and not with a pastor; although he loved both very much, Richard loved his God above all. During his service at Christian Life Church, Richard served each pastor as Church Secretary, Treasurer and Board Member. Serving faithfully at the Austin Optimist Club brought Richard a lot of joy. Each year, he looked forward to working the Christmas tree lot. He retired from Chase Bank with 36 years of service and held two part-time jobs, Chrysler and Weed-Corley-Fish South Funeral Home.
In his later years, Richard moved to San Antonio. The transition was not easy. He missed his church and his city but being close to family was everything to him. In his last years, he cherished living next door to his family, hugging grand babies, and visiting with precious friends near and far. Each of you were loved by Richard! He was the patriarch of his family, and will be greatly missed. His desire would be for his family to carry on the values and traits of honesty, character and loyalty from generation to generation.
Memorial service will be Friday, Nov. 2nd at 6pm at Calvary Church, 3423 N. Loop 1604 East, San Antonio, TX and visitation Saturday, Nov. 3rd, 11 am – 1pm at Christian Life Church 4600 Westgate Blvd, Austin, TX .