Johnson, George

November 8, 1913 -April 28, 1997

Dallas Morning News, The (TX) - Wednesday, May 7, 1997

Services were held April 28 in Palm City, Fla., for retired Dallas Times Herald executive George Simpson Johnson. 

Mr. Johnson, 83, died April 27 of a staph infection in Stuart, Fla. He is buried in Forest Hills Memorial Park in Palm City. 

A native of South Huntington, N.Y., Mr. Johnson began his 55-year newspaper career in 1920 as a carrier after moving with his family to Los Angeles. 

Felix McKnight, a former newspaper executive at both the Times Herald and The Dallas Morning News, said Mr. Johnson was nationally respected for his innovative ideas in circulation. 

"He had the respect of his fellow workers, and it showed in results," Mr. McKnight said. "He had the same respect, nationwide. " Mr. Johnson became a district manager for the Oakland Tribune in 1932. Five years later, he was named that newspaper's home delivery manager. 

In 1946, Mr. Johnson became circulation director for the Long Beach Press Telegram. 

In 1953, Mr. Johnson joined the Times Herald as circulation director. He advanced through the ranks to become vice president and general manager in 1962. 

Mr. Johnson was also respected for his skills as a contract negotiator, said his daughter Jennifer Field of Stuart, Fla. 

For his December 1978 retirement, the Dallas Typographical Union Local 173 recognized the executive. "We know that every time we came away from the table, we were treated fairly and we can ask no more than this from any man," the union president said in a letter to the retiring senior vice president. 

Mr. Johnson was a consultant to the Times Herald for several years after his retirement. He moved to Florida about 10 years ago.