John Fletcher Johnson

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John Fletcher Johnson, 82, was born in Gonzales on March 29, 1931 to W.T. and Mayme Gunn Johnson.  He died at home surround by his family on July 20, 2013.

Fletcher began his lifetime of achievements his senior year at Gonzales High School where he was named best all around athlete.  In 1947 at the age of 16, he joined the 36th division of the Texas National Guard.  During his 22 years of service he served as company commander of the Gonzales unit and upon his retirement held the rank of major.

He attended Texas A&M University where he excelled in pole vaulting.  In 1950, he returned to Gonzales to run the family ranch and on Nov. 25, 1950, Fletcher married the love of his life Jane Gray Gibson in the Gonzales First United Methodist Church.

In 1958, the local Humble Oil facility became available and he purchased it and operated with three employees. In 1985, he built his first convenience store and Tiger Tote was born. There are now 22 stores and five bulk plants with more than 500 employees.

Fletcher’s first and true career was his ranch – the Cinco J.  It was his one and only “hobby.” In 1998, Fletcher received the outstanding rancher award from the Gonzales County Soil and Water Conservation District.  And in 2003, he was awarded an honorary membership as major in the Texas Rangers Foundation. He and his wife have twice restored the historic Braches Home that sits on the ranch.

Always a generous supporter of the First United Methodist Church, the livestock show, Fire Department, EMS, Memorial Hospital and Relay for Life, Fletcher was proud of his country, his state and his hometown.

His family, friends and employees will always remember his motto – “MAKE IT HAPPEN!”

Fletcher leaves behind his wife of 62 years, Jane Gibson Johnson; three daughters, Ellen Johnson of New Braunfels, Judy Gipson and husband Randy of Bryan, and Janet Burke and husband Mike of Seguin; three grandsons, Jeffrey Mills, Garrett Halte and Tanner Hale; great-grandson, Kohen Mills; brother, W.G. “Bill” Johnson and wife Bobbie of Corsicana; and sisters, Dorothy Springs and husband Al of Austin and Ruby Lindeman of Seguin. He is further survived by a sister-in-law, and brother-in-law, Suzanne and Hardy Hamm and brother-in-law, Charles Gibson all of Winnsboro, and 13 nieces and nephews.

Services will be held at 10 a.m. Wednesday, July 24, at the First United Methodist Church with Pastor Andy Smith officiating.  Interment will follow at the Johnson Family Cemetery at the Braches House.

Pallbearers include Cleven Englehardt. G.W. Hamman, Glenn Boenisch, Jay Tinsley, Jose Jimenez, Larry George, Norman Burns, Ray Hansen, and Vic Brown.

Honorary pallbearers include employees of Johnson Oil Company and Tiger Tote, his “angels” (caregivers) Jim Russell, Allen Jentsch, Billy Schomburg, Doyle Sullivant, Jake Stinson, John Whiteside, Jason Wilke, James McLeod, Judy Claypool, Nancy Doebbler, Paul Thistlewaite and Tim Decker.

In lieu of flowers, the family would greatly appreciate donations to the Gonzales County EMS and the First United Methodist Church of Gonzales.

The family will receive friends prior to the service Wednesday in the narthex of the First United Methodist Church.

Services are under the care and direction of Seydler-Hill Funeral Home.

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