Former Mustang & SOC Linebacker Chip Johnson Dead at 56

[MrMustang1965]

Dallas developer and real estate investor Chip Johnson has died.

The 56-year-old, known for his urban redevelopment projects, died in his sleep over the weekend in Galveston, where he was visiting his son and daughter-in-law.

His cause of death was not known.

Johnson was president of Interurban Building developer Barker-Nichols Real Estate.

Johnson's most recent contribution to downtown Dallas was his Urban Market concept, a full-service, upscale grocery and cafe housed in the Interurban Building. The concept includes the InterUrban Lofts.

Urban Market was a finalist in the best retail or hospitality deal category in the Dallas Business Journal's 2005 Best Real Estate Deals.

Barker-Nichols also is planning to build lofts inside the historic Purse Building on Elm Street in Dallas.

Johnson led the development of the 501 Elm Place project, the first office and mixed-use development located in Dallas' historic West End.

"Chip is actually somewhat of an institution in downtown. He's officed and done everything downtown for the last 20 years," Randy Rost, a partner in a number of real estate investments with Johnson, told the Dallas Business Journal. "He had many friends both within and outside of the real estate community and I know he will be missed by everyone who knew him."

Johnson was a Dallas native, graduating from South Oak Cliff High School where he was a star linebacker. He attended Southern Methodist University where he played football.

Private services will be held for Johnson at 4 p.m. Thursday at Restland Funeral Home.

He is survived by his son Matthew Christopher Johnson; daughter-in-law Jodi Brown Johnson; brother Mike Johnson of Rockport; and half-brother Milt Robinson of Colorado.

http://dallas.bizjournals.com/dallas/st ... st=b_ln_hl

[McClown27]

I will pray for his family.

[mrydel]

Chipper was our field goal kicker when I was at SMU. I recall being on the sideline in 1969 when he kicked a 52 yarder against Baylor. That was pretty big-time back then even with a tee. Great young man and proud to say he was my teammate. Sad to see him go at such a realtively young age.