Gary Randall Johnson

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He remembered names, made people laugh, offered help when it was needed, and made people feel welcome wherever he went.

  Gary Randall Johnson was born on August 7, 1957, in Austin, Texas, at Seton Hospital. He passed away on August 29, 2026, in Weatherford, Texas, after a hard-fought battle with cancer.

  Gary was a lifelong Austinite and graduated from John H. Reagan High School in 1975. During high school and beyond, Gary played fast-pitch softball and helped lead teams to regional, state and national championship tournaments.

  Upon graduation, Gary joined his family’s barbecue business, Bert’s Bar B Q, which opened in 1970. Following his father’s death, Gary took over the original location on MLK Boulevard in Austin, Texas. He was a natural fit for the business and made lifelong friends among his customers. Gary never forgot a name, face or personal detail, and he had a way of making everyone feel welcomed and appreciated. He was always joking and laughing, with a warm personality that people naturally gravitated toward.

  After retiring from Bert’s Bar B Q, Gary moved to Weatherford, Texas. Always a people person and never one to sit still for long, he took a part-time job at Chick-fil-A, where he quickly formed meaningful friendships with coworkers and customers. One of the hardest parts of his cancer journey was being unable to continue working. His Chick-fil-A family remained incredibly supportive throughout his illness.

  Gary was generous to a fault. While working at Chick-fil-A, he once helped a customer change a flat tire. On more than one occasion, customers gave him $100 tips through the drive-through, and Gary gave the money to team members he felt needed it more than he did.

  Family was at the heart of Gary’s life. When he married Jeanie, she had a 10-year-old daughter and a 3-year-old son from a previous marriage. Gary raised them as his own and became a strong father and role model. They continued to turn to him for fatherly advice throughout their lives, with love and respect.

  Even throughout his battle with cancer, Gary’s warmth and optimism never left him. He became a favorite in the cancer ward because of his positive spirit and the kindness he showed to those around him, even while facing invasive and painful procedures.

  Gary was preceded in death by his parents, Bert and Joyce Johnson. He is survived by his beloved wife of 45 years, Jeanie; daughter, Sandra Everett and her husband, Kevin Runte; son, Sol Everett; grandson, Micah Everett; brother, Jay Johnson; sister, Sheryl and her husband, Tom Whitehead; and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and extended family members.

  Gary will be remembered for his kind soul, jovial demeanor, generosity and caring personality. In the days following his passing, many people have described him as a “Great Man,” “Amazing Guy,” “Remarkable Spirit,” “Great Person,” “Loved by All,” and someone who “Always had a smile.”

  The most meaningful way to remember Gary is by the way he made people feel. He made people feel like they mattered—whether they were family, a barbecue customer, a Chick-fil-A customer or coworker, a stranger whose tire needed changing, or someone caring for him in a hospital room. He remembered names, made people laugh, offered help when it was needed, and made people feel welcome wherever he went. That was Gary’s gift, and he will be deeply missed by his family, friends and the countless people whose lives he touched.

  A celebration of life will be held in Austin, Texas at a future date to honor Gary.

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We extend our heartfelt condolences to the family during this difficult time.

The Staff of Galbreaith Pickard Funeral Chapel & Cremation Services

https://www.galbreaithpickard.com/