Larry Don Johnson

Larry Don Johnson

1944-2021

Larry Don Johnson, 77, born on March 24, 1944 in Houston, Texas to M. G. and Ruby Johnson, passed away June 26, 2021. He attended E.O. Smith Junior High and graduated from Phillis Wheatley High School in 1962. 

After graduation, Larry continued his education at the University of Houston and later received his BA in Communications from Texas Southern University. In 1966, he was drafted into the United States Army. Larry was one of the founding members of the Urban Theater, the first Black theater group and was cast in a variety of theater and film roles along with numerous commercials. 

He has a long history of working in news media and has held positions at KHTV, KYOK, KCOH and KKBQ. He was the first Black news director and weekend anchor at Channel 39. In 1996, Larry became the Director of Public Affairs for the Harris County Hospital District. He was inducted into the Texas Radio Hall of Fame in 2011 and retired from KTSU as the Development Director. He was an active member of Fallbrook Church since 2005. 

Larry is preceded in death by his younger brother, Othal, mother, father and stepson, Stecil Hopkins. Larry leaves to forever cherish his memory, his loving and devoted wife of 31 years, Stephanie Lewis Johnson, his two children, Velika Nichole Marie Thomas (Rusty) and Jarvis Diallo Johnson, his five grandchildren: Nalyah, Kalib, Joshua, Jarvis and Jacob, along with family members and a host of devoted friends. The viewing will be Saturday, July 3, from 9AM to 11AM followed by the service at Fallbrook Church, 12512 Walters Road. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to KTSU Radio.