THOMAS E. JOHNSON

1938-2021

Tom spent a lifetime loving his family, his work in the oil industry, traveling, the outdoors, and sports. For countless years, he attended his children’s and grandchildren’s sporting events and supported the Houston Astros, New York Rangers, and Houston Aeros. He was known as a gentle giant, quiet and polite, intelligent and stoic, often cracking an unexpected one-liner.

Tom was born in 1938 in Yonkers, New York. He

grew up in Teaneck, New Jersey, where he ran cross country, played ice hockey, and participated in the Boy Scouts and Junior Seabees. He attended Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI), class of 1960, and was an active member of the Alpha Sigma Phi fraternity. He served in the U.S. Army in Korea as an engineer, continuing in the Army Reserves for seven more years. He moved to

New Orleans to work for Pan American Petroleum and soon after married the love of his life, Peggy. He studied for his Master’s Degree at Tulane University.

Tom spent his career as a petroleum geologist, exploring and identifying South Louisiana and Southeast Texas oil and gas prospects. He was a partner at Solatex in Houston before following his heart and moving his family to Steamboat Springs, Colorado. He began Steamboat Exploration Company and spent ample time fly fishing, hiking, and cross country and downhill skiing. After returning to Houston, he worked with Texas Meridian and continued working independently after retirement. Tom was an active member of the American Association of Petroleum Geologists, the Houston Geological Society, and the New Orleans Geological

Society. Throughout his lifetime, he enjoyed the nature around him, setting up multiple model train sets, which thrilled his grandchildren, and building wartime era model airplanes. Tom and Peggy both loved being close to family and also exploring the world, continuing to travel regularly after retirement.

A devoted family man, Tom is preceded in death by his parents, Ernest W. Johnson and Margit E. Johnson, and sister, Linda M. Johnson. He is survived by his wife, Peggy K. Johnson; brother, Robert W. Johnson and wife Sandy; children, Eric Johnson, Stephen Johnson and his wife Janie, and Suzanne Williams and her husband Tom; grandchildren, Adriana Johnson, Ryon Mefford, Luc Mefford, Tyler Johnson, Ashley Johnson, Kai Krogman and wife Lauren, Carson Krogman, Chris Williams, and John Williams; and numerous nieces and nephews.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, July

31, 11:00 am at Messiah Lutheran Church, 11522 Telge Road in Cypress, TX. In lieu of customary remembrances, Tom requested donations be made to: M.D. Anderson Cancer Center or Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy, NY.

Please visit Tom’s online tribute at Klein Funeral Homes Obituaries to share memories and condolences.