You're a class act, Bobby J!

[Miss Critter]

‘I bleed SoWal': After three decades, Bobby Johnson moving family to uncharted waters




August 07, 2010 8:00 AM

By Deborah Wheeler

Bobby Johnson has lived in South Walton since 1980 and has pretty much seen it all.
When his family first moved from Rockford, Ill., when he was 13 years old to Dogwood Street in Seagrove, there were no restaurants, banks, supermarkets, dry cleaners, schools or hair salons.
But there was a good time to be had running loose and free along the undeveloped beaches. He spent his spare time riding waves while surfing.
“My grandmother had Miller’s Country Store on 98, and we came down in summers and pumped gas,” said Johnson.
Attending school meant a commute to Freeport, and when the bridge was out, the next choice was the ferry. And if the ferry wasn’t running, the only other option was driving to Highway 79 in Panama City Beach.
There was no Seaside, and Sandestin was just getting started.
“When the first house went up at Seaside, we thought he was crazy,” said Johnson with a laugh.
There were no red lights or stop signs.
“We used to drive crazy up and down 30A, hanging out of the car and riding on the hood,” he recalls with a laugh. “I’m lucky to be alive.”
Every Friday, the family would all drive to Destin to do their banking and grocery shopping.
“And there was only one bank there — Destin Bank,” he said. “It’s been fun watching it grow. I just wish planning had been better for beach access and beach rights. I never thought you would have to struggle to get to the beach.”
During his 30 years living in South Walton Johnson has fought for red lights on 98, schools and beach access for all. He has served as PTO president at Bay Middle School and as a board member of the Surfrider Foundation.
He has also struggled to make a living. While the opportunities were more often than not slim, the view was good.
“I’ve worked in restaurants as a waiter and bartender, in construction, concrete, as a DJ, owned Collaborations gallery, and as a Realtor.
“I’ve sold Christmas trees and oranges on the side of the road,” he says with a chuckle. “I opened Collaborations with $3,000 to my name. What we’re going through now with the oil situation is par for the course here. It’s never been easy to make a living here. So, when things started to build up, I enjoyed the opportunity to finally be able to make a living because I didn’t want to leave.”
While his wild formative years spent along the beaches of South Walton instilled in him a deep love for the area, it also instilled a sense of adventure and wanderlust.
So, it was with difficulty when he and wife Beverly made the decision to uproot the family and move.
“It’s been on my brain for quite a while,” said Johnson. “Something has not been right for a while. Every day I was plugging through.”
The part of his discontent Johnson couldn’t get a handle on was the spiritual aspect.
“As I contemplated moving, I talked to folks at church and they kept telling me that God is only of clearness. But I just couldn’t get the vision I needed to feel totally comfortable,” he said.
That was until he picked up the book “In a Pit With a Lion on a Snowy Day.”
“I came to realize that I am very comfortable here, but being comfortable is not where I’m happiest. I need to continue to be fearful and uncomfortable to grow. When I’m at my best is when I’m searching,” he said. “I have been slowly dying and I can’t seem to run from it. It’s not about money or contracts. The business is doing great, but it’s hard to sell real estate knowing you want to move. It has nothing to do with oil. I just need to do something for me. I have never really been anywhere or lived any place else.”
The “somewhere” Johnson chose is the Newport/Huntington Beach area of southern California.
He will be working with HOM Real Estate Group, again, selling real estate along the beach, just a different one.
“It’s the total opposite of South Walton. It’s crowded and not nearly as beautiful, but it will be a different beach vibe. I got a great job and there will be more opportunities there for all of us. Doors just keep opening,” said Johnson.
“All of us” includes wife Beverly, who grew up in Freeport; daughter, Kelsey, who is pursuing a singing career; and son Brody. He said they are all excited for the adventure. Oldest daughter, Tasha, has already moved to New Orleans.
“I had babies when I was 18 and now I’m 42, so maybe it’s a mid-life crisis,” said Johnson. “For five years I have been dealing with seeing people losing everything and the after-oil market is not one I want to fight. My real estate business is doing fine, but I don’t want to stay here for money. The oil thing just made me wake up and realize I want to live this part of my life.
“This will always be home,” he said nostalgically. “I bleed SoWal. And if I stumble and fall out there, I hope the people here will let me back in.”

‘I bleed SoWal': After three decades, Bobby Johnson moving family to uncharted waters | johnson, family, bobby - Local News - WaltonSun.com

I'm buying the book today, Bobby. Any book that can have that kind of impact, I want to read.

I wish you and your beautiful family fabulous success, and admit to being a little envious of your adventure. I hear they've got internet in Cali, too, so please keep us posted.

[peaboy]

Bobby J is my friend, he and his family will be missed, his house will have to have many guest rooms for all of us traveling to see him.

[sunspotbaby]

BobbyJ, secure an agent for your family. Bev can be a swimsuit model; Brody, sitcom actor/comedian; Kelsey, megasuperstar! Heck, you won't even need a job, other than surfing. Good luck and God Bless.

Kelly

[Miss Critter]

BobbyJ, secure an agent for your family. Bev can be a swimsuit model; Brody, sitcom actor/comedian; Kelsey, megasuperstar! Heck, you won't even need a job, other than surfing. Good luck and God Bless.

Kelly

Hmmm, methinks Bobby J could be their agent!

[Franny]

Bobby, you and the family will be truly missed.

[GoodWitch58]

I'll miss you guys. Have a great adventure...be sure and take a hot air balloon over the SoCal coast at sunset.

[Murray Balkcom]

I hope to get to keep reading the Brodyisms. Best of everything to you, Bev, Brody, and Kelsey out in Cali, and we will always let you back in SoWal!

[TableFiveChef]

See ya later Bobby! Don't let that initial homesickness get ya! This place will always be your home. Go play!

[iwishiwasthere]

Congrats for breaking away from your comfort zone! You will have many adventures, so keep posting!

[30A Skunkape]

Best of luck to you and your family Bobby. Maybe you can start a Bears fan club out there

[Teresa]

I know you'll have a fantastic family adventure and will return to SoWal some day. Meanwhile, keep us up to date on the haps in SoCal... we mean to see you here on the board often!!! Bev too. We can't let you go completely ya know.

[RiverOtter]

Best of luck to you and the family on your new adventure Bobby. You will be missed

[kurt]

If they have internet there then are you actually leaving us? No.

We'll miss you still!

[Lake View Too]

If they have internet there then are you actually leaving us? No.

We'll miss you still!

I'm pretty sure they have the internets in California, and phones, too! (I thinK.)

[Lake View Too]

Have a great time, Bobby and family!

[Beauty hunter]

Saw your picture in the paper- ya'll are beautiful. Wow, I'm gonna miss you guys. I'm sad and happy at the same time. I'm sad you guys will be bringing your badazz lovely selves somewhere else, but happy for you too. When you gotta go you gotta go- know the feeling! Well just get the hell out of here then You know you are loved. Surf on awesome family

[kitlit]

Tell sweet Bevvy she better get her butt into the office to give hugs before y'all go! You will, of course, be missed. But, I know we won't get rid of you THAT easy...

And just so you know, BobbyJ, I expect at least one early morning office call a week where we can get confused about who you're actually talking to, and who you want/need to talk to!

Love you guys!

[Minnie]

California just became more beautiful with the addition of the Johnson family, no goodbyes, just see ya later.

[ASH]

My older brother learned how to surf when he was living in LA. He still talks about the waves there 10+ years after he moved North to Oregon.

Keep it real.

[tralman]

Best wishes and warmest regards, Bobby. Glad that you and Garner were around when we needed you!

[Romeosmydog]

Sowal, thank you for your sweet sweet comments. I love you so much I wanna have your baby. xoxo, Bev

[Bobby J]

Sowal, thank you for your sweet sweet comments. I love you so much I wanna have your baby. xoxo, Bev

You so crazy. Looking forward to the next chapter kiddo!

[Allifunn]

Good luck in Cali! Sometimes you just gotta do what you gotta do.
I've enjoyed knowing you & Bev let us know how it goes over on that coast

[Teresa]

Sowal, thank you for your sweet sweet comments. I love you so much I wanna have your baby. xoxo, Bev

[ThirtyAGal]

Bobby - Good luck to you and your family. Collaborations was one of our favorite places in SoWal back in the day, and I have spent many a dollar there! I'll always remember you looking for something "antique monkey" for me. Chase your dreams and don't look back.

[Bobby J]

Bobby - Good luck to you and your family. Collaborations was one of our favorite places in SoWal back in the day, and I have spent many a dollar there! I'll always remember you looking for something "antique monkey" for me. Chase your dreams and don't look back.

You mean your not still looking for the monkey. I never stopped looking!

I sure am gonna miss all you crazy folks!

[melscuba]

You mean your not still looking for the monkey. I never stopped looking!

I sure am gonna miss all you crazy folks!

Even though we never in met in person, I feel like I know a little bit about you from SoWal.com and the 30-A Review articles you've written. I lived in Mission Viejo for three years as a kid...... the best of my childhood. The water is cold, but the waves are great! I remember the warm sun, sand in my suit, and lots of laughter. I wish you and your family the best. It's sure to be an adventure you won't regret.

[Lake Eastern]

Bobby, Ken and I are wishing you and Beverly the best in your travels. In the late 70's your grandmother was truly a friend to me and my oldest son when we lived down here while Ken was at sea. Only wish I had known it was your family she asked to lease our house for when Ken was transferred to DC. I do think your wife is so talented as an educator that for selfish reasons I would love to keep her here for the S Walton kids. Thanks for giving my daughter a chance with your company! Best of Luck to all the Johnsons! Gator

[Romeosmydog]

Hey guys. I am putting together Bobby's resume for his new real estate position here in California. I would like to add some quotes from his customers or fellow agents. (This is just in time for his birthday tomorrow) Can some of you that have worked with or around Bobby help me out with a short statement? Blessings and love to you all. You are missed!