Johnny B. Johnson – June 1, 2023

March 2, 1944 – June 1, 2023

Johnny B. Johnson (J.B. Johnson, A.I.A.) passed away on June 1, 2023. He was born in Bryan, TX on March 2, 1944. He was a resident of Colorado Springs for 62 years. 

He married his wife, Stephanie, on December 26, 1967 in Colorado Springs. He is survived by his wife, and by his daughter, Jennifer Johnson-Rausch.

Johnny graduated from Texas A&M with a Bachelor of Architecture in 1966 and came to Colorado Springs. He would soon be recognized as Colorado’s youngest licensed architect.  His immediate lifelong dedication as a loyal employee to R. Keith Hook and Associates would help him launch his career that became a passion for Colorado architecture and preservation.  He and his best friend, Leonard Becker, began Becker-Johnson, Inc. Architects, Engineers, Surveyors and Planners after R. Keith’s passing and continued a lifetime of irreplaceable design in the Pikes Peak region. Of Johnny’s favorite and legacy designs are the Pueblo Power Plant, Citadel Mall, Schlage Lock Plant, Mid-Shooks Run, Bear Creek Park, The United States Olympic Torch on top of Pikes Peak, renovation and design of the Shrine of Remembrance, and his most loved project The Garden of The Gods Trading Post restoration and ongoing expansions. As a life-long endeavor project the Olympian Plaza and the Shrine of Remembrance is the collaboration of talents, great friendship and business expertise between Johnny and Costas Rombocos. The absolute splendor of the Shrine of Remembrance, where Johnny will be celebrated, is a true legacy and tribute to the beauty Johnny was able to spark in design.

Throughout his life Johnny dedicated himself to the beautification and preservation of the Pikes Peak region.  His work encapsulated the landscape, heritage, and colors of Colorado.  His commitment to the Colorado Springs Planning Department, The Manitou Springs Building Department and the CS Building Commission is unsurpassed. He will be known as a renowned architect, as well as one of the last two architects in the state of Colorado to complete all of his drafting by hand.

His commitment to compassion for humanity made him a dedicated and lifelong volunteer. The Guardian Angels, International Sertoma Club, Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, The Palmer High School Bell Restoration, and the Statue of Liberty Memorial Design Establishment is only a small list of his thousands of donations in time and love to our state and this country he has made.

His hobbies and passion include: Native American culture, heritage and preservation; undying loyalty to our country’s military service men and women; and his greatest love – his vehicles.  His last trip in his infamous 1972 T-Bird, lovingly named “Big Bird”, was made on February 14, 2016 to the El Paso County Building Department. His vehicles, “Big Bird”, “Little Bird” (a 1962 Thunderbird), his 1976 Ford named “Spike”, his hand restoration of the 1947 Ford “Ol George” that was given to him as a gift by of the Garden of the Gods Trading Post owners Tim and Terry Haas, will follow him to his final resting place.

Above all else he was a loving father.

In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made in Johnny B. Johnson’s memory to the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, https://rmef.org/, or to the Humane Society of the Pikes Peak Region, Attention: Philanthropy – Johnny B. Johnson Memorial, 610 Abbot Lane, Colorado Springs, CO 80905.

A memorial service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday, June 7, 2023 at the Shrine of Remembrance “America the Beautiful” Chapel, 1730 E. Fountain Blvd., Colorado Springs, CO 80910.  Interment will be at Evergreen Cemetery.  A reception will follow at the Olympian Plaza Reception and Event Center, 975 S. Union Blvd.