Eugene G Johnson

Eugene “Gene” Gustaf Johnson passed away on Thursday, June 16, 2016 at 86 years young. He is survived by his loving wife of 64 years, Zelma Johnson, his daughters Phyllis and son-in-law Lynn Tomasino and Libby Mills, along with two granddaughters Alicia Mills and Katie Tomasino. He is also survived by his brother Richard Johnson and sister-in-law Nelda Johnson of San Antonio, his brother Pete Johnson and sister-in-law Caroline Johnson of Dripping Springs along with many loving nieces, nephews and friends. He was preceded in death by his sister, Tommie Hill and eldest brother, Melvin Johnson.

Gene was born to Elmer Gustaf Johnson and Nettie Zebona Crosby on June 21, 1929 in Austin, Texas. He often spoke fondly of his idyllic childhood and enjoyed activities like riding his bike to Onion Creek for a swim and camping with his family and friends. He loved to reminisce on occasional boyhood raids to a neighboring watermelon patch. In his teen years, he took great pride working as a page on Capitol Hill and later as a bell hop at the iconic Driskill Hotel. In his early 20’s he went to work for his uncle at the O’Neil hotel in Palestine, Texas where he was introduced to the love of his life, Zelma Lois Davenport, by his future mother-in-law. Gene and Zelma were united in marriage on January 6, 1952 in Palestine at First Baptist Church.

Over the course of their courtship, Gene joined the navy during the Korean War. The service took him to Hong Kong, his first time traveling outside of the United States; an experience that he often remarked left a lasting impression on him. After Gene’s naval service, the couple made their home in Austin where he pursued a degree in finance at the University of Texas. A devoted Longhorn fan throughout his life, he prized his set of 6 foot-long authentic Texas longhorn horns which prominently hang over the family fireplace mantle. After college, Gene and Zelma moved to Pasadena and then later to Houston where Gene fell in love two more times with his first born daughter Phyllis and three years later with his youngest Karen ‘Libby.’

Gene employed his accounting skills at Texas International Airlines and International Steel, but Gene had an entrepreneurial spirit and in 1984 established River Oaks Chemical, a prosperous full-service pool repair, maintenance and cleaning company. Although most of his adult life centered on being a provider for his family, he enjoyed sailing with Zelma, Phyllis and Libby in San Leon, traveling to Acapulco, Monterrey, Veracruz, Italy, Greece and Hawaii. He was fond of music, especially traditional hymns and country music by Hank Williams, Willie Nelson, Johnny Cash and Patsy Cline. He enjoyed listening to the Grand Ole Opry radio show with his grandmother, and later watching Perry Mason, Redd Skelton, Jackie Gleason, and the Friday night fights. He particularly enjoyed watching his beloved Longhorns football team and no Thanksgiving Day was complete until the Texas-Texas A&M game kickoff. But most of all, Gene relished time spent with his immediate and extended family; joking, laughing and loving.

Gene lived his life in faithful service to his Lord and Savior, modeling Christ’s love and building his family on the pillar of his Baptist faith. Sharing his faith was important to him, and he often found opportunities to share it with family and others. He was a member of Park Place Baptist Church in Houston and later found his permanent church home at Kingsland Baptist Church in Katy where he worshipped for over 35 years and where he was active in the Serendipity Bible School group; he cherished the lifelong friends and memories he and Zelma made there.

Gene was a remarkable example of a true gentleman, devout Christian, loyal husband and loving father and grandfather. He always had a word of encouragement, a laugh to share, a hug, a kernel of wisdom, or just a humble shoulder to lean on. Gene never met a stranger and would take every opportunity to brighten someone’s day with a joke or kind word. When you were in his company, he treated you like one of his own family. His love and light will be missed by all who knew him but will live on through those he leaves behind.

Arrangements under the direction of Forest Park Westheimer Funeral Home, Houston, TX.