Norris Dean Johnson, 78, of Tulia, Texas, passed away on Aug. 17, 2023, in Amarillo, Texas.
Memorial services will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 26, 2023, at the Northwest Church of Christ in Plainview, Texas. Dean’s nephew, Don Novak, will join J. Henderson in officiating the service and celebration.
N. Dean Johnson was born Dec. 15, 1944, in Wellington, Texas to Robert and Nora Pitcock Johnson. The youngest of eight children, he married his wife of 58 years, Agatha Faye Wright, in Wellington in 1965.
Dean began his educational career in Quitaque, Texas in 1966 as a teacher, coach and principal. He spent six years there until he left to be the superintendent in Kelton, Texas in 1972. He and his family stayed in Kelton for 17 years until he took the superintendent position in Nazareth, Texas in 1989. He finished his career in Nazareth in 2001 upon retirement.
Dean loved every one of his students throughout his 37 years of service and made many lifelong friends along the way. Involved in the Lions Club in each community, he spent much of his administrative career traveling to Austin, Texas while serving on several statewide committees.
An Honorary Life Member of the Texas Association of School Administrators, Dean would always say during his career, “We’re here for the kids.” He worked tirelessly to make sure his students had everything they needed to be successful. He made a lifelong impact on many of his students, teachers and coworkers.
A member of the Church of Christ, Dean loved spending time with his family and friends. He especially enjoyed watching any kind of activity in which his kids or students participated. He was so proud of his kids and students no matter the outcome. However, he was especially proud when they accomplished their goals. He had a front row seat to many of those goals being accomplished, witnessing multiple state championships and one NCAA National Championship.
A resident of Tulia after retirement for the past 21 years, Dean worked for several years at Tule Creek Gin and Lake Mackenzie Water Authority.
We would like to thank family and friends for all their support, prayers and comfort during this difficult time.
Dean was preceded in death by a daughter, Noel Dawn Johnson; his parents, Robert and Nora Johnson; two brothers, Dale Johnson and Don Johnson; and four sisters, Wanda Brown, Evelyn Callahan, Belva Terry and Martha Morris.
Survivors include his wife, Agatha; daughter Leslie and husband Paul Henderson, of Plainview; son Nick Johnson and wife Lisa, of Canyon, Texas; one sister, Robena Duncan, of Artesia, N.M.; grandchildren Mikayla and Jonathan Murphy, of Manville, Texas, Camarie and Sam Fleming, of Conroe, Texas, Dalton Henderson, of Plainview, and Miller and Leah Johnson, of Canyon; great-grandchildren Luke and Ashira Fleming, of Conroe, and Caleb J Murphy, of Manville; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Noel Johnson Athletics Scholarship at Midwestern State University. To donate, visit msutexas.edu and search “Noel Johnson” on the home page. Memorial flowers can be ordered from Kan Del’s Floral in Plainview and will be stored until Saturday morning.
Private family graveside services will take place at a later date.
Cremation and arrangements are by Adams Funeral Home of Wellington.
Sign the online guest book at adamsfuneralsvc.com.
