Terry Johnson

Terry William Johnson 70, of Zionsville, IN died peacefully Sept. 28, 2013 at I.U. North Hospital. He was born Feb. 11, 1943 in Kankakee, IL to the late William Martin and Frances Ruby (Bundy) Johnson. Terry graduated in 1961 from Roosevelt High School in Chicago and was also a graduate of Tarkio College in Tarkio, Missouri, where he was awarded scholarships in both piano and music composition. Terry was successfully involved in sales of one sort or another all of his life. He owned Continental Music and Continental Sound in Chicago with Roberta Bialzik and worked with well-known bands such as Genesis, Jethro Tull, Fleetwood Mac, and Kiss. He also traveled, selling DOD products, Kramer guitars, and other musical instruments. His customers loved him, in spite of the fact that he always blew the punch line of any joke he tried to tell. While visiting a jewelry show, Terry fell in love with colored gem stones, and another chapter in his career was begun. He frequently traveled to Brazil on buying trips, and sold gemstones at jewelry shows. It was at one of those shows that Terry met Susan Schube, his business partner and best friend of 28 years. They began their jewelry business, Avalon Jewelers, in Zionsville 23 ½ years ago. Terry specialized in unique and collectible pens and established a line of beautiful writing inks with his company, Private Reserve Ink. Terry made things happen and will be remembered as an amazing human being who did not wait for doors to open, but opened them himself. He loved his friends and his cats, and invariably, his customers became his friends and family. He will be greatly missed by them, as well as the many people who came to know Terry and enjoy his wry sense of humor. Terry is survived by his son Eric Terry Johnson; his former wife Roberta Bialzik; and his friend and companion Susan Schube. A celebration of Terry's life will be announced at a later date. You are invited to go to the Guest Book page to pass along your personal message or tell a story. Sincerely, -Your friends at Flanner and Buchanan