Allan J Tomlinson Jr.

Allan John Tomlinson Jr. lived a full and lively 92 years, passing away peacefully in his sleep on February 10, 2025. He was a man of charm, wit, and opinions who loved a good laugh, good whiskey, and good company. He was a proud Korean War veteran and enjoyed bringing people together, whether it was a family gathering, lunch with friends, or just a casual conversation.

Born on August 30, 1932, in Houston, Texas, Al split his childhood between the city and his German family’s farm in Industry, TX. He graduated from Texas Tech University where he earned a degree in chemical engineering and helped shape the Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity as its first chapter president. After college, he joined the U.S. Air Force, where he piloted counterintelligence missions over North Korea—a time in his life that gave him both adventure and plenty of stories to tell.

After his military service, Al earned an MBA from Harvard Business School, an experience that shaped his career and introduced him to lifelong friends and his first wife, Helen Nebeker. The two married in 1960 and built a life together raising 3 children in Shaker Heights, Ohio as Al worked his way up to CEO in the business world. His career took him through Dow Chemical, McKinsey & Co., Diamond Shamrock, SDS Biotech and Champlin Petroleum as well as civic leadership roles on the Shaker Heights school board and Cleveland Ballet.

Eventually Al returned to Dallas and found love again with Karen Cornett. They married in 1994 and shared a passion for traveling, supporting Karen’s children as they built their own lives, and escaping the Texas heat in Mendocino, CA. In his final years, Al lived in San Diego, close to family.

Al was a proud and devoted father, step-father, grandfather and great-grandfather, known to most as Bubba. He loved travel, a good game—whether it was playing tennis at DCC or watching the Cowboys and reading/discussing current events. We will always be grateful for his tradition of hosting annual family trips, where he loved gathering the whole extended family together.

Even as the years passed, Al never lost his quick wit, sense of humor, love for his family, Veteran pride or booming voice. He will be remembered for his positivity, honesty, thoughtfulness and generosity. He was compassionate, goofy and agreeable with an easy smile and stoic to the end.

He is survived by his first wife, Helen, his children Allan III (Sally), Laura (Richard), and Will (Charley), and his grandchildren Lucy, Emma, Sara (Dane), Tom, Sam, Will, Maddy, and AJ. He also leaves behind his stepchildren, Ashleigh (Crawford) and Grant (Janine), and their children Cailin, Tatum, Harrison, Georgia, and Sam. He was preceded in death by his second wife, Karen, and his siblings, Wallace and Carole.

As a proud veteran, he will be interred at Arlington National Cemetery with full military honors in Washington DC in 2026.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks for donations in his name to Partners Therapeutic Horsemanship, a nonprofit in San Diego important to his daughter. https://www.partnersth.org