parks
George E. Johnson of Johnson Products Company dies at 99
By Dorothy Sedovic at KOSA CBS7 / First Alert 7 (Permian Basin CBS)
· July 7, 2026
· 2 min read
(Gray News) - George E. Johnson, founder of the trailblazing Johnson Products Company, died, according to media reports. He was 99.He died in his downtown Chicago condo, his son, John Edward Johnson, told the Chicago Sun-Times. The New York Times reported he died of a respiratory illness, citing ...
Key takeaway Born in a sharecropper’s shack in Mississippi in 1927, Johnson moved to Chicago with his mother at the age of 2, CNBC reported.
Why this matters in The Midland
The passing of George E. Johnson, founder of Johnson Products Company, may seem like a story from outside the Permian Basin, but his legacy has a tangible connection to Midland 's own history of entrepreneurship and community growth. As a city that has seen its own share of pioneering businesses, Midland residents can appreciate the determination and vision that Johnson showed in building his company from a small loan into a household name. The fact that Johnson Products Company became a staple in Black cosmetics, catering to a previously underserved market, also resonates with Midland's own experiences of diversity and inclusion. As the city continues to evolve and grow, the story of George E. Johnson serves as a reminder of the power of innovative thinking and community leadership, values that are essential to Midland's own economic and social development. His legacy can inspire local entrepreneurs and business leaders to strive for similar success.
About this story
Original reporting by KOSA CBS7 / First Alert 7 (Permian Basin CBS) . The Midland surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit KOSA CBS7 / First Alert 7 (Permian Basin CBS) . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: parks ·
Published: July 7, 2026 ·
Source: KOSA CBS7 / First Alert 7 (Permian Basin CBS) ·
Reading time: 2 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? (Gray News) - George E. Johnson, founder of the trailblazing Johnson Products Company, died, according to media reports. He was 99.He died in his downtown Chicago condo, his son, John Edward Johnson, told the Chicago Sun-Times. The New York Times reported he died of a respiratory illness, citing ...
When was this published? This article was first published on July 7, 2026 by KOSA CBS7 / First Alert 7 (Permian Basin CBS) and curated for The Midland readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Dorothy Sedovic at KOSA CBS7 / First Alert 7 (Permian Basin CBS). To learn more about how The Midland selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more parks coverage from The Midland, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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