J.R. Johnson

J.R. Johnson, 98, of Amarillo, passed away on Monday, September 28, 2026. Funeral services will be 10:00 AM Saturday, October 3, 2026 at St. Matthew Methodist Church, 1631 S. Roberts St. with Rev. Manny Burgos officiating. Burial will be at Memorial Park Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 5:00 – 7:00 PM Friday at Cox-Rowley Funeral Home, 4180 Canyon Drive.

J.R. was born in Tulia, TX in October, 1927, to John Roy and Maude Alma Johnson. He was the youngest of six and gained the nickname “Big Boy” at an early age. He grew up during the Great Depression and moved to Amarillo when he was in the first grade. He went to Sanborn Elementary School and Central (later Nixon) Junior High School. He graduated from Amarillo High School in 1946. While he was still in high school, he began working for the Santa Fe Railroad. He worked summers farming or for the railroad until he was out of school. He had a deferment from WW II because of the essential nature of his work at the railroad.

While he was in high school, he met and dated Wanda Louise Gatten. They married November 27, 1947 in Clovis, NM. They lived in Borger and Amarillo during their early years together but finally settled in Amarillo or just outside the city.

JR worked at many occupations during his life. The one he cherished most was as a custom wheat cutter from 1951-1969. He even dreamed of quitting the railroad to do this full time. He retired from the railroad in 1987 but he was far from idle. He built houses and barns. He built trailers, in fact, three of them were double decked to pull his car and his boat behind his motor home. He built storage sheds, he did woodworking and was always tinkering on some project. 

During his dynamic lifetime, he has held many passions. Since his early adulthood, lots of time and money was spent at auctions. He even held a few of his own. He loved fishing and only gave it up when he began to have poorer balance and stamina. He and Wanda truly treasured their fun times in the FMCA (Family Motor Coach Association) and traveling in their 7 or 8 motor homes. He built several homes and combined his talents to make lots of crafts for Wanda. He built several metal barns and storage buildings. A lasting passion of his until his final days was playing poker. In fact, he broke his hip going into the Amarillo Social Club. And darn it that ended his winning streak!

He was preceded in death by his wife, Wanda L., of 63 years and one day; his parents, John Roy Johnson, Sr. and Maude Alma Johnson; his siblings, Mildred Simmons, Leoma Sawyer, Curtis Johnson, George T. Johnson, and Elizabeth Willoughby.

He is survived by his cat, Jimmy; his daughter, Cynthia Ann Stadler and her husband Darrell; step-granddaughter, Jessica Stout and her husband Craig; step-great grandchildren, Lyric Stout and Linley Stout plus many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

J.R. accepted Jesus as his savior in September of 2026. This time he truly is “All In”.