Patricia Susan Johnson

Perseverance and tenacity is a great way to describe Patricia “Patty” Susan (Rich) Johnson. You wouldn’t think this right away about her, but when you got to know her and her life, these qualities shine through. Even though she was born in Chicago, Illinois on July 22, 1934, she truly spent most of her childhood in the quaint town of Shawnee, Oklahoma. Her mom and grandmother lovingly raised her to keep pursuing her academic dreams. After graduating as valedictorian of her high school class, she went on to become a Boomer Sooner at the University of Oklahoma. Despite a meager upbringing and societal norms of women during that time period, Patty went to college on tennis and academic scholarships all while maintaining perfect grades with a Bachelors in Business Education. Her college years were a pivotal defining time in her life, as this is when she met the love of her life, Dr John Wm Johnson, whom she was wed to for over 60 years. John and Patty were married on June 29, 1957, immediately following college graduation and then moved to Kansas City. Many people don’t realize Patty had a unique gift of a photographic memory, especially with numbers. This gift bode her well as she worked tirelessly in the oil industry to help John achieve his dream of going to medical school. Upon completion of medical school, they moved to the Houston area and became “dyed in the wool” Texans.

Patty continued her career in the oil industry, while helping John establish his family medical practice from the ground up. You would never know Patty was an only child, as she raised her three beautiful daughters, Heather, Holly, and Harmony with an extreme amount of patience and love. These qualities shone through as she spent many nights at the kitchen table helping her daughters construct countless school assignments with the sound of a ticking typewriter resonating through the air. Patty displayed a wonderful balance of “being a wife and a mom” while continuing to enjoy life as “Patty”. Traveling was a passion, and she and John went on many global adventures as a couple and as a family. She and her family were charter members of their beloved church, John Wesley United Methodist, and she treasured her countless hours of service there. She continued to work as well and became a teacher at a private primary school. This is when she would cultivate her steadfast friendship with her lifelong friend, Sami Milam. She loved teaching so much, she and John went on to establish a private primary school, of which Patty was the director. Over the years, Patty experienced many medical issues and life challenges, individually and as a family, that would have stopped many people in their tracks, but this did not hinder her drive. She continued to care for her husband and daughters, as well as John and her elderly mothers, all without complaining.

Many people stop and “settle down” in their retirement years. Patty did the opposite. She was blessed with ten grandchildren over the years, whom she loved fiercely, and considered gifts from God as well as one of her “greatest achievements”. Patty and John continued their love of travel and moved to the little fishing town of Rockport, Texas. She enjoyed life to the fullest in Rockport and treasured the beautiful view of the water. Her years in Rockport were some of her most memorable. She enjoyed her precious time spent with John, assisted at their Rockport church home (First Methodist of Rockport), served as Worthy Matron of the local Eastern Star chapter, was a docent at the local art museum, cherished having her sweet dog Rocky as a loyal companion, as well as many special times with family and friends.

After many years in Rockport, Patty and John decided to move to Katy, Texas to be closer to family. Even though this decision was bitter sweet, it proved to be a “God directed” one. The time in Katy created even more lasting friendships and immeasurable time spent loving on her beloved grandchildren. She maintained her zest for life with innumerable events at their residence, Atria of Cinco Ranch. They also continued their membership in the Methodist church at Grace Fellowship UMC. Patty finally grew tired and the call to be home with her loving Father was too strong. She made the wonderful journey on February 3, 2018. She was greeted in heaven by many loved ones including her mother, Margaret Rich, her grandmother, Susan Drake, her father, Wayne Rich, her father in law, Dr Orville Johnson, her mother in law, Lucille Johnson, and her brother in law, E Deane Kanaly. She is missed by many including her devoted husband of 60 years, Dr John Wm Johnson, her daughter Heather Keahey and her husband Kelly of Katy, her daughter Holly Labay and her husband Andrew of Altair, her daughter Harmony Keel and her husband Ben of Sealy, and her sister-in-law Virginia Kanaly of Houston. Her beloved grandchildren include Lindsay Patricia Keahey and Alex Rogers, Kimberly and Matt Coyle, Zachariah and Courtney Labay, Mindy Keahey, Lauren Labay, Roxanne Patricia Keel, William Keel, John Austin Keel, Kennan Keel, and Josiah Keel. Her survivors are sad to be without her on earth, but are ultimately celebrating her journey to be with Jesus, which takes the strongest amount of perseverance of all.

I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith. (2 Timothy 4:7)