Dabney Johnson

Dabney S. Johnson Sr. AKA Johnson the Canoe Man, paddled his canoe to the other side on December 30, 2020. He was born in Jacksonville, Florida on may 18, 1924 to Carey and Mary Leslie Johnson. A graduate of Harvard University who served in the Pacific Theater on an escort destroyer. He was decorated for his service in the Navy during WW II and was always proud of his service to them. Dabney was Vice President of Clark and Lewis Food Co. 1946-1966. He founded the Pickle Barrel restaurant chain in downtown Dallas, 1967 "Free Pickles For All Who Enter". His greatest passion began in 1986, when he founded, Johnson the Canoe Man Company. His guided trips of all Texas rivers influenced thousands. Sometimes, his trips boarding on down right dangerous "rapids" he would say with a sly smirk, "I have not lost a paying customer yet." When his trips became hellish and people would implore how much longer, he would yell, "It's just around the bend!" And around that bend we lost our best friend. He is survived by his six children, Jeff Sr., Dabney Jr., Porter, Win, Paula, and Will. His 7 grandchildren, Christina, Jeff Jr., Win Jr., Elizabeth, Terrell, Ellise, and Bryant will miss him greatly. Finally his three great grandchildren, Natalie, Luke and Aaron carry on his great tradition of loving the great outdoors! P.S. "We are not the general public."