Norman Johnson Obituary

OBITUARY FOR NORMAN R. JOHNSON

SEPTEMBER 13, 1931 - NOVEMBER 28, 2023

Norman R. Johnson, Jr., 92, passed away peacefully at his home in Durango, Colorado after a short period of declining health. He was a long-time resident of the Bentwater community in Montgomery Texas as well as previously a long-time resident of Beaumont, Texas. He is survived by his sister Mary Manuel of Kinder, Louisiana, children David Johnson and Jan Gann, as well as sons-in-law Ronald Klinge and Jeffrey Gann.

Born in Kinder, Louisiana to parents Norman Sr. and Lena Alphonse, Norman attended elementary and high school there before meeting the love of his life and future wife Zelda Mae Mack of DeQuincy, Louisiana. They chose to be married on their common birthday, September 13 and were active life companions for 57 years before her passing in 2011.

He served in the US Army for 2 years stationed at Ft. Hood, TX as a radio/telegraph operator before working for the Missouri-Pacific railroad in DeQuincy for several years. Later, he moved his family to Texas and was involved in several enterprises until he saw an opportunity to become an entrepreneur in Beaumont. Norman became the successful owner of Dixie Materials Trucking and Asphalt Company and enjoyed a rich, full life with his family and friends for many decades.

He and Zelda loved to travel to Colorado and eventually decided to purchase a summer home in Durango, where he enjoyed the mountain climate, playing golf and making many new friends. He exemplified a "life well-lived" as evidenced by the number of people who knew him and loved him.

A Celebration of Life will be held in his honor on Tuesday, December 26 at the Strater Hotel in Durango from 2-5 pm.

In lieu of flowers, any donations to the American Cancer Society, Salvation Army or the SPCA would be greatly appreciated.