Burton Allen Johnson

Mr. Burton Allen Johnson passed away on August 27,2016. Born on April 9, 1931, in Sioux City, Iowa, Burton attended public schools in Ohio and Michigan, and attended Miami University in Oxford, Ohio, for two years. In 1950, he moved to Anthony, Texas, and completed his degree at Texas Western College in 1953, earning a Master of Arts in Education in 1957. Johnson went on to work for the EI Paso Independent School District (EPISD) for 34 years. After working for the District, he went on to be a teacher and Assistant Principal at Zach White Elementary School and was later appointed Principal at Franklin Elementary School, where he also served as a coach. Johnson then went on to be appointed Principal at Dowell Elementary School, Burleson Elementary School, and Henderson Middle School, respectively. Afterwards, Johnson moved over to EI Paso High School, where he served as Principal for 13 years. During his tenure with EI Paso High he also coordinated the successful efforts to have the school as both a National and State Historical site. Johnson finished out his service to the public-school system as Assistant Superintendent for the westside area in the EPISD. Over the course of his extensive career, he belonged to the Downtown Rotary Club, the Eastwood Optimist, the Five Points Lions' Club, and the Mt. Franklin Rotary. During his retirement, Johnson worked in the Education Department at the University of Texas at EI Paso (UTEP). Johnson closed out his 10 years of work with the university as the Coordinator of Field Placement in the College of Education. He also volunteered his time to the EI Paso Public Library for two years, at the Downtown branch, where he served on the Selective Service Board. Johnson was very active with several professional organizations. He was elected President of the EI Paso Education Association and the Trans-Pecos Teachers Association. Twice, he was elected President of the professional education fraternity, Phi Delta Kappa. He also served on many local and state committees, while active in these professional organizations. Always a champion for students, teachers, and educators, Johnson publicly debated former Texas Governor, John Connally, over the issue of fair wages for teachers, on the editorial pages of The EI Paso Harald Post. Johnson cared deeply for his community, which is evident from the time and effort he volunteered to organizations such as the American Cancer Society, where he served as President and a volunteer driver. He was also President of his local chapter of Habitat for Humanity, served on the EI Paso Board of Directors for Goodwill Industries, where he was awarded as Outstanding Board Member, and served on the Allocation Committee for United Way. Johnson was nominated for the Mayor's Volunteer of the Year Award for his efforts. He also volunteered his time to the EI Paso Opera, various St. Jude's fundraising events, the McDonald Scholarship Committee, as well as fundraising events for KCOS and UTEP. Johnson was also the President of the congregation at Coronado Christian Church, where he directed the support of a mission school in Juarez, Mexico. Though he spent a large portion his time offering his services to others, Johnson still found time to enjoy some personal hobbies. He enjoyed playing golf, reading, travelling, and of course, running errands his beloved dog, Coco, who passed shortly after Johnson. Burton Allen Johnson was preceded in death by his parents, Allen Edward Johnson and Lottie K. White. Johnson is survived by his loving wife, Patricia Del Toro-Johnson, his adoring son and daughter-in-law, Edward Allen and Cheryl Lynn Johnson, his grandchildren and their spouses, Chantal Nicole and Ryan Alexander, Amberly Dawn and Mike Bice, and Allen Edward Johnson, and his great-grandchildren, Bailey Nicole Alexander, Drew Alexander, Dixon Bice, and Shaynee Johnson. Due to his unfailing love for education, Johnson decided to continue the education of motivated medical students after his death through the selfless donation of his body to Texas Tech Medical School. Any contributions wishing to be made in his honor should be addressed to Goodwill Industries of EI Paso at 9611 Acer Avenue, EI Paso, Texas 79925.