Thomas Neil Johnson

Thomas Neil Johnson, beloved brother, father, Popo and friend passed away on October 4, 2022. He was born in Freer, TX on July 22, 1940, to loving parents Henry and Celestia Johnson. He passed away peacefully at home at the age of 82.

Neil graduated from Freer HS in 1958 where he was a cheerleader and ran on the track team. He attended the University of Texas in Austin where his attentions were mostly focused on entertaining the coeds with his saxophone. He graduated from Texas A&I in Kingsville. After graduation he served his country in the Army National Guard. He began his career in the insurance industry in San Antonio with INA, then Cigna, and finally with HEB Risk Management, from where he eventually retired in 2006. Neil treasured many enduring friendships with colleagues from his successful career.

A lover of all kinds of music, Neil sang in the church choir but especially loved jazz. He enjoyed listening to our mom Linda and his favorite jazz musician Diana Krall sing.  His favorite past times were hunting and fishing, spending time in the garden, watching Longhorn football and Jeopardy on TV and spoiling his favorite dog, Jack. Neil loved to have fun. Having fun came naturally to Neil. He was quick to share the latest jokes, multiple times, even if he was the only one laughing. He loved being the center of family pranks, especially if he got to dress in costume and dance.

Neil’s children were the center of his universe. Being a father and then grandfather were one of the great joys of his life.  They have fond memories of vacations at the beach, pranks at sleepover parties, road trips, stargazing from the roof, sitting on the front porch swing before church, listening to Merle Haggard and Willie Nelson on his record player and endless hours at the “secret fishing spot,” which will be his final resting place.

He had a knack for collecting surrogate family members.  He valued these relationships and especially loved receiving handmade gifts, from food to homemade posters, sidewalk chalk art, videos of songs and even a simple rock from the garden. He cherished these treasures, displaying them around the house as reminders of his many connections.  Neil enjoyed the simple things in life, like rides to the park to watch the deer. He especially loved fawn season. Neighbors could often find him in the driveway visiting with people or just watching the world go by.

Neil was preceded in death by his parents, Henry and Celestia Johnson and his best friend, Susie, a beloved German Shorthair Pointer. Neil is survived by daughters Courtney, Heather, and Alicen, and their mother, Linda; sons Cole (Leslie) and JD (Kim), and their mother, Debra; eight grandchildren, Destiny (Noah), Madison, Fiona, Walker, Cooper, Madelyn, Deanie and Jordan; his brother, Dale (Sissy); and numerous nephews, a niece, cousins he considered sisters and other extended family members.

A Celebration of Life Luncheon will begin at 1:00 pm on October 23rd, 2002, at Shepherd King Lutheran Church Fellowship Hall, 303 W. Ramsey in San Antonio, Texas. Neil would have appreciated a room full of camouflage and burnt orange.