Troy Johnson

Troy Kenneth Johnson, 78 years old, of Austin and Gatesville, passed away January 26th, 2022. He was a big man with a big heart that finally failed him.

Graveside services with military honors will be held at 3:00 p.m., Saturday, February 19, 2022 at Restland Cemetery in Gatesville, followed by an outdoor gathering at the Lightning J Ranch. Celebration of Life Services will be held at 3:00 p.m. Sunday, March 27, 2022 at Westlake Hills Presbyterian Church in Austin.

Troy was born July 3, 1943 in Austin, the eldest child of the late Lee Roy and Jo Fuchs Johnson. He moved with his family to Gatesville as a young boy. As first born he pulled his weight on the family farm - plowing, fixing fences, hauling hay - while also keeping up with a paper route and doing odd jobs for neighbors. He was smart, stubborn, and independent. Troy was a 1961 graduate of Gatesville High School, where he met his high school sweetheart, the love of his life, Pat Quicksall; they married on April 11, 1964. He attended Texas A&M, was a member of the Corps of Cadets, earned a masters in business, and proudly wore his class of ‘65 Aggie ring until the day he died. In 1966 he enlisted in the Texas Army National Guard, served 26 years as an ordinance officer, and retired as lieutenant colonel from the 111th Area Support Group in Austin. After working in manufacturing operations at several locations and settling with his wife and family in Austin, he retired as Vice President of Operations for Weed Instrument. He worshiped at Central Presbyterian Church in early years and moved to Westlake Hills Presbyterian Church after his children were grown.  

Troy was a man of few words, but when he spoke, people listened. He was a gifted teacher and an epic storyteller. He showed his love to his children through actions and was very involved in their school and church activities. He used his amazing carpentry skills to design lighting and sets for dance performances, church musicals, and a science center for his wife Pat’s students at Becker Elementary. He built elaborate Halloween displays, an epic backyard playhouse, deck and landscaping, and filled his home with arrays of his son’s artwork. He was always in the middle of remodeling something in his Austin home or Gatesville ranch. Troy was a mechanical genius, and his family thought he could fix or build anything, which he frequently did. He hated sand but loved the ocean and spent many summer vacations in Port Aransas. He and Pat developed a program to take Becker Elementary kids and families to visit the coast and learn about the wonders of the ocean. Troy and Pat loved to travel coast to coast in his big red Dodge Ram dually and 40ft 5th wheel, and visit their many grandchildren. He enjoyed hosting family reunions, playing 42, and giving jeep or Humvee rides out at the ranch. He volunteered in many capacities at Westlake Hills Presbyterian Church: started a job search group, served as deacon, volunteered with The Gathering and Manos de Cristo, Tuesday Morning Men's Group, Third Well Bible study group, and the safety committee. Troy always had a cowboy hat on his head, boots on his feet, and a quick-witted comment at the ready. He was larger than life in so many ways. Until the day he left us, he was “Absolutely Fabulous.”

Troy is survived by his wife, Pat; daughters, Tami Blais and husband, Bob, Teri Miller and husband, Kevin; son, Travis Johnson and wife, Melissa; brother, Roy Johnson and wife, Jan; sister, Perry Cowen and husband, Carl.  He was blessed with 18 grandchildren who were the light of his life.

Troy faithfully donated to Westlake Hills Presbyterian Church, the Texas A&M Association of Former Students and Manos de Cristo. He cared deeply about land preservation. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to one of these organizations or an organization of your choice that would honor him.