Jerry Pryor Johnston, 57, of Waco passed away May 18, 2015
Memorial Service: 4PM Thursday, May 21st at Lake Shore Baptist Church, 5801 Bishop Dr. in Waco with Dr. Burt Burleson and Dr. Tillman Rodabaugh officiating. Visitation will follow the service at the Church. Private burial will be held at Oakwood Cemetery.
Jerry was born July 29, 1957 in Waco, Texas to PM and Barbara B. Johnston. He graduated from Richfield High School, having been selected as the top senior favorite. He attended Baylor University and graduated with a BBA and MBA. While there, he became active in Baylor Chamber of Commerce, and was president of his junior class. He did his postgraduate studies at Duke School of Finance. Through the years, he was employed with First National Bank in Midland, TX, the French bank, Sociète Generàle where he was the corporate manager for the Dallas Branch, Regional Bank, Atlanta, South America, North America and The Americas. Jerry was voted as one of the Top 20 young Businessmen of Dallas. He served on the Board of Directors for Dallas Opera Company and City Harvest in New York City, NY. Jerry loved ministry and at one time was the head of Jail Ministry for First Baptist Church. He also established a home for the homeless boys in Bogotá, Colombia.
Jerry loved his brothers and “sisters” and nieces and nephews. They were his pride and joy. Jerry was always ready to give of himself to his family and friends, whether it was his time or money.
Jerry was preceded in death by his father; and brothers, Jack Johnston and Jeff Johnston.
He is survived by his mother; sisters-in-law, Linda Johnston and Tammie Johnston; nieces, Jamie Mayfield and Jenna Johnston; and nephews, Justin Johnston and Jason Mayfield; and many friends.
Memorials should be made to Lake Shore Baptist Children’s Center at 5801 Bishop Drive, Waco, TX 76710 or Charity of your choice.
Thoughts and memories may be shared online at www.LakeShoreFH.com.
Contact Information:
Lake Shore Funeral Home & Cremation Services
Print Obituary & Condolences
Barbara & family,
I have loved Jerry for over 50 years. He was one of the most kind, loving, funny, brilliant, witty, compassionate, sensitive, caring, creative, and honorable persons I have ever known. He was one of my very best friends. Ironically there are probably hundreds of people who would say the very same thing. Jerry was deeply loved by so many. I miss him already.
You are in my prayers,
Sally
I’ve always heard of Jerry growing up because he and my mom were great friends. When my mom took me on a girls trip in New York, Jerry was there to make sure we had a great time. I loved seeing friends who hadn’t seen eachother in years be able to reconnect in such a short time and I now value true friendship on that level.
JJ and I were in Baylor and Chamber together. I am grateful to have shared those years with him. He had a tender heart and loved being with people. I trust he is safe in the arms of Love now.
Barbara,
My deepest sympathy and much love to you and your family. So very sorry.
Carol Burton Stafford
Dear Barbara and entire family,
You know our hearts are heavy and our prayers are with each one of you.
Jerry was so dear. When I think of him I will always think of his beautiful smile, his twinkling eyes, his loving heart, his giving spirit and his tender soul.
Peace and Comfort ,
Carolyn and Tillman
I am sorry for your loss. J.J. was a wonderful friend and I am a better man for having known him.
Sending our deepest condolences to Barbara and the rest of Jerry’s extended family. With his larger than life, magnetic personality, Jerry was a wonderful neighbor and role model in so many ways. Talented, kind, interested – Jerry was the kind of person that everyone wanted to be around and emulate. Seven years his junior, I always looked across the street and up to Jerry as a model for what I hoped to become. And in holding up Jerry as a role model I was not alone – over the years and across many of the various stages in his life, Jerry was a role model to many. Success seemed to follow Jerry, but it wasn’t effortless – he was always actively a work on a project or activity to improve himself or preparing for that next step in his exciting, engaged life. His caring spirit and easy, warm smile lives on in all of those whose lives he touched, and he truly touched so many over the years and across the globe. Jerry Johnston will be missed by all of us who were blessed to have him in our lives.
Barbara & Johnston family,
My thoughts and prayers are with each of you at this difficult time.Keep your eyes to God and remember all the good times with Jerry.
Dianna Hicks Espinosa, Kevin & Kristie Hicks
Tammie,
I am so sorry to hear about Jerry. You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers. Please let me know if I can do anything for you.
Ruth
Goodbye JJ! Your perpetual smile will be greatly missed.
Geno
Many great memories with Jerry – not only as a fellow Chamberman, but also as a roommate (along with Burt Burleson and Mark Johnson), and groomsman in mine and Ann’s wedding. Will never forget the wonderful personality, the ever present smile, “beef tatot” (ask Burt), his eternal bare feet during the summer and that silver Trans Am. He touched many lives in so many positive ways.
Sincere condolences to his mother Barbara and the rest of the family.
Steve
Barbara – I have so many wonderful memories of Jerry. He was always smiling and he was extremely handsome! Besides that, he had a kind heart and he was a dear friend for many years. I am out of town and will not be able to attend the service, but please know that you are in my thoughts and prayers. Jerry was very special and I will miss him.
Becky Camobell Roche
Mrs. Johnston,
My sincerest condolences.
Jerry was one of a kind. I remember him intentionally never wearing matching socks. I enjoyed being friends with him both at Baylor and in Dallas. He was a true friend, a man that I loved and admired.
Warmly,
Kevin and Kris Cherry
Jerry was a kind, loving and a great friend. He will be missed dearly but was able to touch so many people in his life in such a positive manner. God bless him and rest his soul in peace. I will always remember him fondly.
Alex
Barbara,
I cannot begin to tell you how sad we all are & how much we all loved your wonderful son! He was a remarkable, kind, loving person & truly made a difference in my life—and also in many others! I shall never forget him & will always remember him with love! He really was special and I’m glad to know that his suffering has ended. I know that God loves him & has him safely with Him! Love to you & your family!
Mary Ann
Barbara,
So sorry for your loss. Jerry was my role model. Thoughts and prayers.
Link Harris
I worked for Jerry for many years at Societe Generale. He was one of the most honest and caring individuals one could ever meet. My thoughts and prayers are with the family. He will be remembered by everyone he touched.
Jerry was one of a kind in so many, many wonderful ways. His ability to relate to people and his desire to help and get to know others deeply was extraordinary. Jerry was full of charisma and genuiness and fun. Everyone noticed Jerry when he walked into a room and were drawn to him. Jerry was the Pied Piper if ever there was one. He was a wonderful person and his spirit and smile and our memories of great times with him will last forever.
Sincerely, Ken Broughton
God Bless Jerry Johnson.
The man with a big heart and big smile.
Jerry will live on through our stories and memories.
Fun was knocking out 20 forearm
curls in the airport with his specially sport designed briefcase or multiple push-ups to
a deck of cards.
He was a great man who loved seeing
his pals happy. I am very proud to be his friend.
My condolences to the Johnson family.
So sorry about the loss of Jerry! He was my pledge brother in the Baylor Chamber of Commerce. He was a joy and a true friend. He will be missed by me and many others! Life can be very cruel. Rest in peace, my brother!
Jerry was a kind hearted, good guy. I met him in the financial crisis of 1991 when he was at SG. Newly married and jobless, I met Jerry through a mutual friend, and he could not have been warmer or more supportive and optimistic. My wife and I stayed friends with Jerry from that day on, and when and subsequently moved to NY we had the good fortune of becoming friends. Jerry deeply cared for others and was always ready with a smile and a laugh. I will miss him. My condolences to his family and many friends.
Dear Jerry’s Mom Barbara, Linda, and Tammie; nieces, Jamie Mayfield and Jenna Johnston; and nephews, Justin Johnston and Jason Mayfield – I don’t know if you will remember me but I was very close with Jerry in the mid 1990’s when my best friend Madison had a relationship with Jerry. I met Jerry at a benefit in NYC and we became friends within minutes. I told Jerry that I had a good friend who was single and I thought the two of them could possibly have a lot in common. Well- that’s when my real friendship with Jerry began. Jerry was so kind and so giving. He was so smart and so funny. I loved his personal sayings about Texas like “If you can’t run with the big dogs, then stay on the porch”. Another one that had me laugh every time was “Big Hat, No Cattle”. I loved his cowboy boots and his love of Texas. He loved his family and I had the pleasure of meeting many of them one day at the Museum of Natural History in New York. The kids adored his Uncle Jerry. I am so saddened to hear of his passing. He will be missed by so many. Rest in peace Jerry! And if there ever was a big dog – you were the biggest and the fastest! No sitting on the porch for you! Good night Sweet Jerry! Love, CK
Jerry was loved and admired by his friends here in NY and will be greatly missed.
I offer my most heartfelt condolences to his family and loved ones.
Jerry defined “Southern Gentleman”. He always put others first and had such a wonderful spirit! He will be truly missed. I know he is in a beautiful place now where he can finally be at rest. My condolences to the Johnston family.
Luisa Knapp
What beautiful memories were shared by so many of Jerry’s friends and so well deserved. I hope that some way he knows of the love everyone shared with you.
Sorry to hear of Jerry’s passing.
I knew Jerry for a short time when I lived in Waco through Jr High. I was lucky enough to be included in his group of friends. He and Gahlen Carpenter and I were tight. He was such a nice person, kind, witty and funny. Never forget his patent leather brown pants. Always a very stylish guy. Again, sorry for your loss.