Tomball’s latest in its series of statues depicting noted and historical figures will not be a century-old founding father or a figure depicting the town’s rural heritage. Its next monument will reflect one of Tomball’s proudest moments, but more importantly, reflect it’s greatest losses.

In what can certainly be described as a stroke of brilliance, 22-year-old Bobby Payne has gained approval from the City of Tomball to erect a statue of Cpl. Jeffrey Johnson, his best friend of nearly a decade who was killed in action May 11 while fighting Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan.

“When he (Johnson) was killed, that hit my pretty hard. My mom considered him a second son,” Payne said. “I’ve never lost anyone that close as a friend and I wanted to do something to carry on.”

Payne spoke with Johnson’s family, who he said were “extremely supportive” of the plan and soon began discussing his idea with Tomball VFW member Steve Allison, Greater Tomball Area Chamber of Commerce President Bruce Hillegeist and Tomball Mayor Gretchen Fagan.

Pictured, a clay model of the Cpl. Jeffrey Johnson “To the Fallen” monument depicts Johnson saluting an American flag being flown at half staff.

Photo by Holly Dutton

Payne presented his plan to the Tomball City Council at its July 6 meeting. Doug Van Zandt, husband of Sandra Van Zandt, revealed a six-inch clay model of the statue and flag scene, which is planned to be erected at the entrance to Jerry Matheson Park’s Memorial Playground.

“I have not seen anything like this anywhere in the country,” Doug Van Zandt said.

While the statue will depict Johnson, it will be designed as a memorial “to the fallen” to any man or woman from Tomball who has ever died in the line of duty, from any branch of the military Payne explained. The monument will feature a six-foot statue of Johnson clad in his U.S. Marine Corp “dress blues” saluting an American flag being flown at half staff. A nearby granite wall will be etched with the names, in chronological order, Payne said, of those from Tomball who have perished in war.

Payne added that room will be left on the monument should the unfortunate need arise to add more names.

The Tomball Council unanimously approved the plan last week.

Like the statues featured at the Tomball Depot Plaza of city founder Thomas Ball, a train conductor and soon, Elmer Beckendorf, Oklahoma artist Sandra Van Zandt will create the piece.

However, unlike the previous statues, the Johnson monument will not be paid by a portion of city funds. Payne will need to raise the money for the cost of the sculpture, expected to be about $70,000, on his own.

Payne said he is in the process of creating a 501c-3 non-profit corporation to handle the donated funds. In the meantime, he and Fagan, and dozens of others, are appealing to the local community to help fund the project. Payne added that anyone who makes a donation will have a personalized brick included in the walkway leading up to the monument.

If all goes according to plan, Payne hopes to have the memorial unveiled sometime in January when Johnson’s company will be on leave and fly into to Tomball to visit Johnson’s grave site. January is also Johnson’s birthday month, Payne added.

While a 501 c-3 has yet to be established, Payne said those wishing to make donations may do so by mailing checks to Homewatch Security Cameras, 21544 Tomball Parkway, Houston, Texas 77070, made payable to Payne or Cpl. Johnson’s father, Jerry Johnson.

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