“Verily, verily, I say unto you. He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation, but is passed from death unto life.” John 5:24
A Celebration of Life
Johnny “John” Welton Self, son of the late Helen Self Hickman and Jonas Banks, was born on January 29, 1950, in Zachary, Louisiana. Johnny accepted Christ at an early age and gave all of the glory to our Lord and Savior.
Johnny often times spoke about his inspiration stemming from the struggles growing up in a single-parent home. He prevailed and defied the odds as he received his high school diploma from Chaneyville High School and completed his education at Southern University in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, School of Business Management, earning his bachelor’s degree in December 1972.
It was at Southern University, where he met his soulmate, best friend, and wife, Beatrice “Bea” Tapps. Johnny proposed marriage to Bea on Christmas of 1972, and they united in holy matrimony on June 23, 1973. Their union led to a generational gift in their marital timeline and two wonderful children, Jeremy and Jarita were born.
John, as many called him, was a trailblazer. In 1973, he began his career with the Arlington Fire Department as the very first Black firefighter. Coupled with his bride Bea, they began building their home. As the new couple in town, both John and Bea were welcomed with offers to help them find their way around Arlington. The grueling work of a firefighter called for long nights on and at the job. John and Bea often laughed about the question that was asked of then Arlington mayor, Tommy Vandergriff, “where is he (Johnny) going to sleep?” Mayor Vandergriff’s response was, “in there with the rest of them.”
John transitioned to the State Comptroller for several years before starting his career with TXU. In 1999, he became the first Black male TXU board elected vice president. This was truly a perfect career for Johnny’s personality! He had many good times and continued to gain many friends.
His years in Government Affairs with TXU and Oncor made him a fixture at the Texas Capitol. As a trusted advisor and friend to elected officials across the political spectrum, he knew the Capitol like the back of his hand and advised accordingly. For Johnny, there were no strangers! Everyone loved and respected him and relied on his counsel. Our great state of Texas is a better place to live because of his dedication, commitment, and unending optimism. After retiring from Oncor, he continued to work as a political consultant in Austin.
Johnny’s faith in the Lord was strong and grounded. In 1972, he joined Mount Olive Baptist Church under the leadership of Reverent Norman Robinson. Because of his faith and love for the church, his handprint is on many projects. He was a faithful usher, Sunday school teacher, deacon and member of the executive board. There was never a job too small or large for him, from organizing a cleanup crew for Mount Olive to leading the construction of Lucille Baptist Church is Palmer, Texas.
Johnny leaves many to cherish his memory, including Beatrice, his loving wife of forty-nine years; their children Jeremy (Angela) Self and Jarita (Troy) Gardner; three grandchildren, Tristan, Tatum and Troy Johnny; two brothers Clarence (Dafiney) Self of Zachary, LA, and Billy of Baton Rouge, one sister Barbara Anderson of Baton Rouge, LA; seven sisters-in-law Mary Tapps of Aurora, CO, Gladys Bets of Carson, CA, Dorothy (David) Shaw of Inglewood, CA, Shirley Tapps, Barbara Netters and Pamela Jackson of Baton Rouge, LA, Diana Davis of Maryville, TN, and one brother-in-law Raymond (Gayle) Tapps of Houston, TX; and a host of nieces, nephews, additional family, and beloved friends. He was preceded in death by his parents and brother, Ernest Hickman.
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