Jeffery Dennis Johnson, a beloved father, grandfather, friend and coach, passed peacefully surrounded by his daughters on the evening of January 2, 2026 after a brief battle with cancer, just 364 days after losing the love of his life, Mrs. Marjorie Kay Malone Johnson. Born February 22, 1948 in Memphis, Tennessee, the son of Thomas and Nellie Jane Johnson lived a full and adventurous life and found his way to the Lord Jesus Christ through Baptism in the year 2000.

Jeff explored many hobbies and sports while at Southside High School in Memphis, graduating in 1967 as Art Club President, ROTC Cadet Captain, Varsity Basketball player and manager, and many other clubs. He carried both art and basketball through life, teaching both informally while attending Memphis State University. At the age of 22, Jeff entered the wonderful world of warehousing and distribution where he spent his entire career with a variety of companies and industries. He moved his young family to Carrollton, Texas in 1983 due to a job transfer and promotion opportunity with Lind Paper Company. Additionally, he worked for Atlantic-Pacific Automotive, Toys R Us and Hugh M. Cunningham, all in the Dallas-Ft.Worth area.

Throughout the years, two of Jeff’s greatest passions outside of work and family were rugby and youth basketball. He played with a number of rugby clubs including Memphis RC, Dry Gulch RC, Memphis Old No. 7 RC, Nashville RC, and he was a touring member of the High Wycomb Rugby Union. He was also involved with the Dallas Harlequins RC after moving to Texas. Rugby took him all over the US and Canada as well as Europe through the early 1980’s. Following his “Rugger” days, Jeff rekindled his love of coaching youth basketball, and coached an untold number of girls’ teams from city recreational leagues to the Amateur Athletic Union (AAU). His younger daughters Jennifer & Katie Jo both played on multiple teams with their dad at the helm through the late 1990’s. After relocating to Denton, Texas at that time, Jeff continued to coach and referee youth leagues, most recently with Upward Sports after retiring from career life.

His striking blue eyes, hearty laugh and love of all things Tennessee Vols & UNT Eagles sports will be dearly missed by all who knew and loved him.

Jeff was a member of Southmont Baptist Church. He is preceded in death by his father Thomas Roy Johnson (1965), mother Nellie Jane Johnson (2007), youngest daughter Katie Jo Johnson (2021) and most recently his love Marjorie “Ms. Kay” Johnson (2025).

Jeff is survived by 3 daughters; Stacy Winsett (Jared) of Solon, New York; Jennifer Howard (Nathan) of Farmers Branch, Texas; and Konni Stubblefield of Denton, Texas, along with grandchildren Cameron Johnson (Paris) of McKinney , Texas; Andie Pace of Plano, Texas, Christopher Romero of Farmers Branch, Texas; Kayley Crump (Jonas) of Pilot Point, Texas; Raegan Stubblefield of Corinth, Texas, and great-grandson Atlas Crump. He is also survived by his brother, Steven Jay Johnson of Corinth, Mississippi.

Funeral service will be held at Mulkey-Bowles-Montgomery Funeral Home at 705 N. Locust St. in Denton, Texas on Saturday, January 10th at 2:00pm with visitation beginning at 1:00pm.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks for donations to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee.