Paul Kent Johnson

Paul Kent Johnson, 88 years of age, peacefully slipped from his diseased mind and body into the arms of Jesus on January 12, 2025 with his wife, daughter, and son-in-law at his bedside. Paul, formerly of Odessa, TX was a resident at Crestview Senior Living Community in Bryan, TX. He was a loving and generous man to his family, church family, and friends, as well as many employees who worked for him throughout the years.

Paul was born in Oklahoma City on December 27, 1936 to his father, Ken, and mother, Pauline. Preceding him in death were his son, Kent, parents, Ken and Pauline, brother Richard, stepmother Vonna, deeply loved in-laws, Clyde and Georgia Burdine and brother-in-law, Jerry Burdine.

Paul, a 1955 graduate of Haines City High School in Haines City, FL was involved in football, baseball, as well as basketball and was president of the HCHS Glee Club. He was voted “Best All Around” by his senior classmates. After graduating from high school, Paul chose to go to Bethany Nazarene College, in Bethany, OK. It was there that he met the “love of his life”, Mary Burdine.

Paul often shared the story of his favorite memory involving Mary. After their first kiss, he walked out of her dormitory, quickly pulled off the earmuffs he was wearing and tossed them into the air. Years later on their anniversary, he would recreate the earmuffs using two powder puffs and a plastic headband. The “recreated earmuffs” were accompanied by a handwritten note saying “Remember? They may not look the same BUT my life has not been the same since THAT NIGHT.” Even as his mind was deteriorating from dementia, Paul could still tell people what he did after that first kiss. On June 22, 1957 Paul married Mary, who would remain his partner and the “love of his life” for 67 1/2 years.

In his early adult life, Paul gave his heart and life to Jesus. As he and Mary raised their two children, Paul made certain that his family was covered in prayer, taught the Word of God and actively involved in their church. Sharon, his daughter, recalls going to bed one night and hearing her dad weeping in prayer for his family. Only the Lord knows the incredible impact that the prayer she heard, and many others like it, has had on his beloved family.

Paul’s love language was giving. When he saw or was made aware of a need, he responded. Many people were the beneficiaries of his generosity. He was known for “going above and beyond” to serve the people of his church. He called on folks who were sick, randomly dropped off a BBQ meal to those who needed it, helped set up/ clean up after church potlucks and many other ways too numerous to list.

Paul was an active member of the Church of the Nazarene at both the local and district levels. He served in many capacities at the local church in Odessa. At the district level, he sat on the advisory council, was a representative on the Board of Trustees of Southern Nazarene University and numerous times was selected as a lay delegate to attend the Nazarene General Assembly, held every 4 years.

Paul was a successful business owner, owning and running Johnson’s Inspection Service In Odessa, TX for 45 years. He was known and respected in the west Texas oilfield community. Mary ran the office side of the business while Paul did the labor side. They were a good team together. One former employee wrote that Paul and Mary were “his favorite bosses of all time.”Running an oilfield related business kept Paul on 24 hr call, leaving very little time for other hobbies. One thing he loved to do, though ,was fresh water fishing. Any time he could vacation and find a spot in close proximity to fish, he would take advantage of it. He passed that love down to his daughter and attempted to do so with his grandsons. Whether in a boat, from the shore or at a West Texas catfish farm, fishing brought him great joy!

Paul was very proud of his three grandsons. Although he and Mary didn’t live close to them, they made every attempt to be as much a part of their lives as they could. The boys will always have memories of the ways “Poppaw” loved and supported them. He loved and cherished all of his family.

Paul leaves behind his beloved wife of 67 ½ years, Mary Johnson; daughter and son-in-law, Sharon and Tommie Allmon, and three grandsons: Drew Allmon, his wife Rachael and son, Briggs; Ryan Allmon and partner Mandie Walker; and Mac Johnson. Also surviving him are his sister and brother-in-law, Sandra and Charlie McNamara; sister-in-law, Kathy Johnson; half brother, Donnie Johnson; sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Jo and David Galbraith and sister-in-law, Lori (Burdine) McComas. Paul also has many beloved nieces and nephews who will miss him!

A Celebration of Paul’s life will take place at 10:00 am on Saturday, February 1st at the Bryan Church of the Nazarene in Bryan TX. A link to the Facebook page, where the service will be live-streamed, can be located under the worship tab at: http://bryannazarene.com

In lieu of flowers, the family would ask that you consider making a donation in Paul’s honor to the Bryan Church of the Nazarene SOS fund, which is used to help those who are in need of financial assistance.