Paul Houston Johnson passed from this life on Friday, November 23, 2018 at the age of 92.
Paul was born August 19, 1926 to James Boyd and Pearl Ann Johnson in Sperry, Oklahoma. Paul graduated from Sperry High School in 1944. After graduation, Paul served in the United States Navy from 1944 to 1946. He used funds from the G.I. Bill to attend Oklahoma State University where he graduated with a B.S. Degree in Electrical Engineering in 1950. After graduating from OSU, Paul moved to Tulsa for job opportunities. He later attended the University of Tulsa and obtained a Juris Doctorate Degree in 1957.
Shortly after arriving in Tulsa, a college friend encouraged Paul to attend a picnic at Boston Avenue Methodist Church. It was at the picnic that Paul met the love of his life, Ruth Inez Jones. Paul and Ruth were married June 14, 1952. Soon afterwards, they joined the New Covenant Class at Boston Avenue.
Paul and Ruth were blessed with two children, Jeff and Lisa. Paul was very much a family man. He found joy in celebrating life with family and friends. Many will remember the hand-made gifts Paul and Ruth put together each year for Christmas. Paul made gifts for family and friends for 49 consecutive years.
A humble man, Paul rarely talked about his professional accomplishments. After obtaining his law degree, he worked for the Tulsa County District Attorney's office. In 1958, Paul joined Jim Head to create the law firm of Head & Johnson, specializing in intellectual property law. When Paul retired from Head & Johnson, he went to work for Gable Gotwals where he was on staff until he retired in 2015. Over the course of his professional career, Paul was honored many times for his work in the area of patents and trademarks.
Over the years, Paul was involved in many organizations including Tulsa Downtown Lions Club, Green T Club, Masonic Lodge, Board of Directors for Family and Children's Services, and the Board of Commissioners for the Housing Authority of the City of Tulsa. He was a member of the Thomas Gilcrease Museum Association, the Oklahoma Bar Association and the Tulsa County Bar Association. Paul was on the Board of the Will Rogers Memorial Commission and he was a faithful member of the Tulsa Downtown Rotary Club.
Paul took up running in his fifties and ran quite a few marathons. He enjoyed his time outdoors and most of all, the time spent with family and friends at their cabin on Grand Lake. Paul and Ruth loved to travel. Together they traveled to over 76 countries and made many new friends. Upon returning from his many trips, Paul would often share his travels with friends and families with his "Travel with Camera" slideshows.
Paul is survived by his daughter and son-in-law Lisa and Mike Spear; daughter-in-law Beth Johnson; grandchildren Michael, Karrie and Sarah Flud, and Paul and Hannah Johnson; as well as his sister, Shirley Smith, and numerous nieces, nephews and extended family.
Paul was preceded in death by his parents, Boyd and Pearl Johnson, his wife Ruth Johnson, his son Jeffrey Johnson, his brother Carl Johnson and his sister Joan Domres.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial gifts in Paul's memory to the Boston Avenue United Methodist Church.
Interment will be held at 11:00 a.m., Wednesday, November 28, 2018 at Memorial Park Cemetery, 5111 S Memorial Drive, Tulsa, Oklahoma, Fountain Lawn Mausoleum Section 27-2, Lot 62, Level A.
The memorial service will be at 2:00 p.m., Wednesday, November 28, 2018 in the Sanctuary at Boston Avenue United Methodist Church, 1301 S. Boston Ave., Tulsa, Oklahoma.
Online condolences and memories can be shared at www.moorefuneral.com
The family thanks you for your prayers and support. Moore's Southlawn 918-663-2233