A beloved figure in Midland, Texas, Ted Charles Johnson passed away on October 11, 2025, at the age of 97.
Ted is survived by his second wife, Ann Page; his children, Karen Johnson Scharbauer (husband, Douglas), Bert Glass Johnson (wife, Anne); and stepchildren, Mark Page and Hallye Page Knight (husband, Kraig).
He was married to his first wife, Monta Jo Glass Johnson, until her passing in 1999.
After three days, Ted found love again in 2003 and married Ann Page. Together, they enjoyed motorhome trips, fishing, summers in Tincup, Colorado, and cruises around the world with family.
He welcomed Ann’s children, Mark Page and Hallye Page Knight, as well as her five grandchildren and two great-grandchildren, treating them as his own.
Ted was a beloved grandfather to five grandchildren: Holt Johnson (wife Laura), Katherine Johnson McKenna (husband Tom), Doug Scharbauer (wife Mauri), Daniel Scharbauer, and Sarah Scharbauer.
He also had seven great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.
Likewise, he also leaves behind his five step-grandchildren and two step great-grandchildren.
Besides his first wife, Monta, Ted was preceded in death by his parents, Arthur Carlos and Hattie Bird Tomason Johnson; four brothers, Don, George, James “Bud,” and Bob Johnson; and his sister, Mary Katherine Johnson Ondracek.
Born on October 23, 1927, Ted grew up in Plasterco, a small company town in Fisher County, Texas. There, his family ran the Texas Cement and Plaster Company, known for creating the first gypsum wallboard, or sheetrock.
When Ted was 8, his family moved to San Angelo, where he graduated from San Angelo Senior High School.
As a teenager, he worked in the men’s clothing department at Hemphill Wells Department Store.
In 1950, when the Korean War began, Ted joined the U.S. Army and volunteered to become a paratrooper with the elite Eleventh Airborne Ranger Company.
Out of 17,000 soldiers in his division, only 112 were chosen as Rangers. Ted parachuted into the front lines in Korea and occupied Japan, carrying supplies for his infantry division.
The Assistant Secretary of the Army presented him with the Army Commendation Medal for his bravery upon his return to San Angelo after the war.
Later, Ted’s career took him across West Texas. After the army, he worked as a sales representative for the Celotex Corporation, living in Abilene, Amarillo, and Dallas before settling in Midland in 1956.
Thanks to his previous experience working in a store, he rose to become the regional sales manager for Celotex across seven states.
In 1974, when offered the role of national sales manager, Ted chose to retire from the company to focus on ranching, the oil business, and his new venture, Johnson Tire and Supply.
Ranching was his true passion, and even at 97, he was still branding calves on his ranch, raising Hereford cattle.
Ted was also a private pilot for over 30 years, flying his Piper Navajo to take his family across Texas and Colorado.
He was a leader in Midland and at First Methodist Church. He served on the church’s Finance Committee, Foundation Board, and Building Committee.
Ted led his family in building and donating the Glass Chapel at First Methodist in honor of his mother-in-law, Mabel Holt Glass.
Beyond Midland, Ted’s leadership extended to McMurry University in Abilene. During his tenure, he served on the Board of Trustees for over 20 years, including a term as chairman.
In 2022, McMurry honored him with the John Wesley Award, and in 2024, he was recognized as a Pillar of Philanthropy by the S.M. & Inez Jay Society.
Ted also served for 10 years on the board of the Methodist Mission Home for Unwed Mothers in San Antonio and on the board of Camp Butman Methodist Encampment near Merkel.
A visitation will be held on Thursday, October 16, 2025, from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at Nalley-Pickle & Welch Funeral Home and Crematory in Midland, located at 3800 N. Big Spring St.
A memorial service will take place on Friday, October 17, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. at First Methodist Church.
During this difficult time, we pray for the strength of Ted’s wife, kids, grandkids, friends, and extended family.
Rest In Heavenly Peace, Ted Johnson!
