Dr. Lamar Johanson

          Dr. Lamar Johanson, 89, of Stephenville, formerly, a longtime resident, of Rye Valley, Mills County, Texas passed from this life on Sunday, June 8, 2025. Lamar was born on October 31, 1935, in Cherokee, Texas to the late Clyde and Bonnie Jane Battle Johanson. Lamar attended public school in Cherokee, where he excelled in not only academics, but athletics as well. Lamar attended Texas State University (Southwest Texas) where he earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees before moving on to Texas A&M for his doctorate in biological science in the early 70s. On August 14, 1958, Lamar joined the U. S. Air Force. On July 2, 1960, Lamar married the ‘love of his life,’ Marilynn Timberlake. Marilynn’s father told Lamar he would allow the marriage only after she graduated from Texas Woman’s University in Denton. Lamar and Marilynn left their home after their marriage and went to Chanute Air Force Base in Rantoul, Illinois to serve in the USAF Hospital as a Clinical Lab Officer. Lamar was honorably discharged as a First Lieutenant from the USAF in August 1961. 

Lamar and Marilynn headed home to Texas. Marilynn wanted to teach school with her degree in home economics and Lamar searching for a school to teach biological science. He soon saw brochures for teaching opportunities and saw a post from Tarleton State University looking for instructors in biology. Tarleton State, at that time, was transitioning from a junior college to senior college. Lamar connected with Dr. P.A. Caraway on a telephone visit. He understood from Dr. Caraway that Tarleton was in the area of pre-professional, allied sciences rather than the traditional field of biology. He accepted the position and began a marvelous career that would span over four decades at Tarleton State University. In 1999, Lamar left Tarleton to become the President of Tarleton State-Central Texas in Killeen. He retired after 40 years of service to Tarleton State University and in 2021, he and Marilynn were awarded honorary doctorates of humane letters from their beloved institution.

Lamar’s desire for his many years at Tarleton State was all student focused. His hopes were for all students to succeed in whatever field they choose. He worked to secure a strong clinical laboratory science and nursing programs. His legacy is inscribed in the naming of Lamar Johanson Science Building. Lamar and Marilynn have given so much of their time and resources, establishing scholarships and in gifting their ranch to Tarleton State, known now as the Tarleton State Timberlake Biological Field Station off the Colorado River in Mills County, Texas. Lamar and Marilynn, along with his friends, Perry and Meldene Elliot spent a lot of time supporting and watching Tarleton State athletes compete, in all sports but especially loved football and basketball. The two spent a lot of miles on the road to see their hometown Texans compete.

Lamar never shied away from serving, giving his time on many directorships and organizations in the communities in which he lived, including for athletics as the faculty representative. 

He was a Master Mason with San Saba Lodge 612, serving over 65 years. A longtime member of the Stephenville Optimist Club, Board of Directors for the Hico National Bank for several years, Texas Health Board of Director in Stephenville. He was inducted into the Tarleton Athletics Hall of Fame in 2007 and a Distinguished Alumni at Tarleton State. Lamar also served as chairman of the Athletic Hall of Fame selection committee and as president and member of the Tarleton State Athletics Texan Club. His awards and accomplishments through Tarleton State are many.

Most of all, Lamar and Marilynn loved spending time on their ranch in Mills County. Lamar spent his time raising cattle and entertaining family, colleagues and many friends. Lamar is survived by his wife of 64 years, Marilynn, and many cousins as well as many, many friends.

‘BLEED PURPLE’

Instead of flowers, please consider a donation to the Lamar and Marilynn Johanson Scholarships at Tarleton State University. Donations to be sent to: Tarleton State University Foundation, Box T-0950, Stephenville, Texas 76402.

Memorial services for Lamar will be at 2:00 PM Tuesday, June 17th at First Baptist Church in Stephenville.