In tribute: 'Bobby' Johnson: Rancher, businessman, gentle soul

Robert "Bobby" Johnson's son and daughter remember their father as a rancher, a writer about nature and history and a businessman, but mostly as a gentle soul.

Johnson died in Clovis on May 4 at the age of 91.

In his life, Robert Johnson was a farmer, a rancher, and a land use specialist for the New Mexico Land Office.

At different points, he chaired the Republican parties of Curry and Roosevelt counties, as well as the party's district chairman, according to his obituary published in The News.

He also served briefly as a state representative in the New Mexico Legislature and on the Curry County Fair Board, according to his son Brett Johnson, who owns Town and Country Real Estate in Clovis.

Robert Johnson also chaired the highway committee of the Curry County Chamber of Commerce.

Later, he moved to Alto in Lincoln County, where he was active in water issues and wrote books and articles on water issues and Lincoln County history.

He even edited a history of Billy the Kid's activities in Lincoln County, Brett said.

Robert was "working all the time," Brett said.

What his son and daughter remember most, however, is Robert Johnson's gentle nature, especially toward animals.

One of Robert's published stories, Tana Williams, his daughter said, was about a coyote he encountered whose leg was caught in a trap that the coyote had been dragging along for a considerable distance.

"Dad put a gunny sack over the coyote's head and took the trap off," Williams said, then let the animal go.

Later, Robert Johnson saw the coyote again, accompanied by a litter of pups.

"The coyote didn't run," Williams said, "she paused for a while, then moved on."

Robert Johnson's ranch was a tribute to his love of animals, Williams said.

"We always had a number of dogs," she said, "along with horses and cattle. He loved horses, dogs and his family."

On the family ranch located near Oasis State Park, Robert's son Brett said, "He wouldn't kill a coyote unless it was attacking our cattle and none ever did."

He would even leave a rattlesnake alone. If he passed one, Brett said, he'd say, "He's just trying to make a living like we are."

When he moved to Alto, Brett said, he was even gentle with raccoons and skunks.

"He was a sweet, compassionate man," Brett said of his father.

He was also a born storyteller, Williams said.

"When we were kids, he used to tell us the scariest, craziest stories," she said.

Robert Johnson also had a love for history, especially the history of Clovis.

The family has been associated with Clovis since 1907, Brett Johnson said.

Robert Johnson befriended the son of a former publisher of a Clovis newspaper, Brett Johnson said, and when the publisher died, the son entrusted artifacts from the newspaper to Robert.

Robert later donated them to the New Mexico History Museum in Santa Fe.

Included in the collection, Brett said, were photos depicted life in Clovis during World War II.

Robert's father I.D. Johnson was a dentist in Clovis, Brett said, and the downtown building that included the dentist's office continued to host family businesses until 2002.

Williams said her father was not always the "gentle soul" who raised her.

He was "ornery" as a young man, Williams said. He rode broncs and roped cattle in rodeos, she said, even changing his name for rodeo events "so his parents wouldn't find out."

They did find out, Williams said.

Throughout his life, Brett said, Robert Johnson was sick only 19 days.

On May 4, Brett said, Robert went to take a nap "and never woke up."

Brett said he inherited his father's love of history, and shared his faith through the Clovis Christian Church.

"He'll be all right," Brett said.