He also worked as an appraiser for the Federal Land Bank in Houston, and reported to his brother on its activities.

[7] In addition, he was employed as a member of his brother's Senate staff and worked on Lyndon Johnson's campaigns.

In his later years, his drinking, coupled with physical disability caused by a broken hip, limited his effectiveness as a member of his brother's organization.

[14] According to published accounts, Johnson stopped drinking in 1972 and underwent a religious conversion, becoming a regular attendee at services of Austin's non-denominational Community Church.

Caro said that he considered Johnson more credible in their subsequent encounters, largely because of his sobriety and religious conversion.

[17] His lung cancer returned, and Johnson died at Holy Cross Hospital in Austin, Texas on December 11, 1978.