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  • Texas | Bill Cherry's Galveston Memories

    GLENDON E. JOHNSON

    by Bill Cherry
    My Texas Escapes column, “No One Could Out Negotiate Lincoln Dealer Kyle Gillespie", dated July 1, 2010 told a Keystone Kops and robbers-style story. It had three main characters: my dad, W.W. Cherry, Galveston Lincoln dealer, Kyle Gillespie, and the new president of American National Insurance Co., Glendon E. Johnson.

    Recently, Glendon Johnson passed away. This is the obituary I wrote about him.
    Glendon E. Johnson
    Glendon E. Johnson
    Photo credit of Glendon E. Johnson, "Star Bulletin" February 1974 with permission
    Glendon Johnson told his granddaughter, Erin Stewart, that “cowboys answer to two people: their God and their momma.”

    She said, “He lived his life with the thought in mind that someday he would have to answer to his Heavenly Father, and — perhaps more intimidating — to his mother”

    He was sure that his “mother would hold him accountable for how he treated others, how he cared for his siblings and how he used the time he had in this life to bless others.”

    I suppose that credo was why Johnson was so well-liked when he and his wife, Bobette, and children lived in
    Galveston. In fact they bought, restored and resided in the old white stucco mansion on 53rd and Seawall Boulevard.

    Johnson had come to the Island to be the president and later chairman of the board of American National Insurance Co. in the 1970s. He succeeded Phil Noah.

    Glendon E. Johnson died from a heart attack in Salt Lake City on October 6, 2011 at the age of 87.

    Throughout his life, Johnson had been the most comfortable as a cowboy. He had ranched and broken horses since childhood.

    Interestingly, how he had learned to train horses transferred into his business management skills.

    He said that he had learned that you can “beat a horse into submission, or you can teach, encourage and lead him. Both horses will accomplish the exact same task. However, the beaten horse will hate you, while the horse you encouraged, taught and lead by example will love and follow you forever.”

    The Boy Scouts of America had awarded Johnson the Silver Buffalo Award, which is scouting’s highest commendation. His wife of 67 years, Bobette, has asked that friends make their memorial donations to the Boy Scouts of America.



    December 10 , 2011 column
    Copyright William S. Cherry. All rights reserved
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    Bill Cherry, a Dallas Realtor and free lance writer was a longtime columnist for "The Galveston County Daily News." His book, Bill Cherry's Galveston Memories, has sold thousands, and is still available at Barnes and Noble and Amazon.com and other bookstores.
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