Ted Charles Johnson

Ted Charles Johnson, 97, died Saturday, October 11, 2025.  He was born October 23, 1927 to Arthur Carlos and Hattie Bird Tomason Johnson.  Ted was their fourth son of six children-five sons and one daughter. Until he was eight years old, his family lived in the family company town of Plasterco in Fisher County, Texas.  Their company, Texas Cement and Plaster Company, created and manufactured the first gypsum wallboard (sheetrock).  In 1936, the Johnsons moved to San Angelo, Texas where Ted attended school and was graduated from San Angelo Senior High School.

In August, 1950, Ted joined the U.S. Army after the Korean War started in July.  When he completed basic training, Ted volunteered to become a paratrooper in the newly formed elite fighting group of Army Rangers called the Eleventh Airborne Ranger Company. There were only 112 Rangers out of their infantry division of about 17,000 soldiers in wartime Korea.  The Ranger paratroopers went ahead of the infantry by jumping from a C-46 plane into the front lines of the conflict carrying guns and ammunition for their infantry division. Ted parachuted into both Korea and occupied Japan.  When Ted returned to San Angelo at the end of the war, the Assistant Secretary of the Army came there to present him with the Army Commendation Medal for his bravery and service in Korea.

Throughout his high school years, Ted worked in the men’s clothing department of Hemphill Wells Department Store in San Angelo.  After his discharge from the army, those salesmanship skills learned as a teenager enabled him to have a successful career as a sales representative in West Texas for the Celotex Corporation.  During this time, he lived in Abilene, Amarillo and Dallas.  He moved to Midland in 1956.  With Celotex, he eventually became the seven state regional sales manager.  When he was offered the position of national sales manager of Celotex in 1974, Ted chose to retire from the company to concentrate on ranching, the oil business and his newly acquired business, Johnson Tire and Supply. Ted was a private pilot for over thirty years and enjoyed taking his family in his Piper Navajo throughout Texas and Colorado. Of all his accomplishments and successes, though, Ted loved ranching and raising Hereford cattle the most. He never retired from ranching and even branded his calves at the age of 97.

Ted was married to Monta Jo Glass Johnson until her death in 1999. Ted and Monta Jo’s two children Karen Johnson Scharbauer (husband Douglas) and Bert Glass Johnson (wife Anne) live in Midland. Four of their five grandchildren live in Midland: Holt Johnson (wife Laura), Katherine Johnson McKenna (husband Tom), Doug Scharbauer (wife Mauri), and Daniel Scharbauer.  Their granddaughter Sarah Scharbauer lives in Dallas. Seven great-grandchildren survive Ted and he is also survived by many nieces and nephews.

Ted was preceded in death by his parents, four brothers (Don Johnson, George Johnson, James “Bud” Johnson, Bob Johnson) and one sister (Mary Katherine Johnson Ondracek).

A new chapter of his life opened up for Ted when he married Ann Page in 2003.  Their life together was enhanced by frequent motorhome trips, fishing trips, summertime trips to Tincup, Colorado and cruises all over the world with his family. Ted welcomed Ann’s two children Mark Page of Ft. Worth, Texas, and Hallye Page Knight (husband Kraig) of Granbury, Texas into his life as if they were his children. Her five grandchildren and her two great grandchildren were embraced and loved by Ted and the Johnson family.

Ted assumed many leadership roles in Midland and in the First Methodist Church of Midland.  He was both a member and chairman of the Finance Committee, the church’s Foundation Board and the Building Committee at First Methodist.  As chairman of the Building Committee, the Fellowship Hall and the gymnasium at the church facility were

built. Ted helped cook pancakes at the church for over 50 years on Shrove Tuesday.  He led his family to build and donate the Glass Chapel at First Methodist in honor of his mother-in-law Mabel Holt Glass. Following his lead, his family also donated the Glass family home in Midland to Hospice of Midland, Inc. which provides administrative offices for this non-profit organization.

His leadership reached beyond Midland.  He served for over 20 years on the Board of Trustees at McMurry University in Abilene, Texas. He was chairman of this board for several years. Several buildings were added to the campus at McMurry University while he was on the board. Because he was such a good fundraiser, each addition was completed with no outstanding debt to the university. He was honored with the John Wesley Award in 2022 for his years of service to McMurry. In 2024, he was recognized with gratitude as a Pillar of Philanthropy by the S.M.& Inez Jay Society of the university. In addition to his service to McMurry University, he served for 10 years on the board (both as a member and as chairman of the board) for the Methodist Mission Home for Unwed Mothers in San Antonio, Texas and for several years on the board of Camp Butman Methodist Encampment in Mulberry Canyon close to Merkel, Texas.

The family would like to thank Hospice of Midland and the additional caregivers for their end-of-life care they provided. Memorials can be directed to Hospice of Midland, 911 West Texas Avenue, 79701; First Methodist Church, 300 North Main Street, 79701; or Midland College Basketball Program, Midland College, 3600 North Garfield Street, 79705.

Visitation will take place 6:30pm-8:30pm, Thursday, October 16, 2025 at Nalley-Pickle & Welch Funeral Home in Midland.  A memorial service will be held 11:00am, Friday, October 17, 2025 at First Methodist Church.

Arrangements are under the direction of Nalley-Pickle & Welch Funeral Home & Crematory in Midland.  Online condolences may be made at www.npwelch.com.

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