Thomas Johnson: June 28, 1942-Jan. 9, 2026

Thomas Lee Johnson, 83, of Kerrville, Texas, passed away on January 9, 2026.

Tom was born on June 28, 1942, in Hugo, Colorado, to Bob and Barbara Johnson. He graduated from Crowley County High School in Ordway, Colorado, in 1960, and was awarded a rodeo scholarship to Cal Poly in San Luis Obispo, CA. After completing his studies, he proudly served his country in the National Guard.

In 1974, Tom married Connie Mitchell in San Antonio, Texas. Together they shared 51 wonderful years of marriage. He welcomed Connie and her two children, Andee and Dudley, to the family ranch, where they built a life together. The family grew in 1978 with the birth of their daughter, Julie. Tom was integral in his children’s lives, never missing their activities – especially sports.

Tom and Connie moved to Kerrville, TX in order to be closer to their younger grandchildren in 2018.

Tom worked alongside his father, Bob, on the family ranch, where they raised cattle and quarter horses. He later built a cattle order-buying business that grew into a successful multi-state operation. This led him to earn his pilot’s license and fly his own plane in order to serve his customers and the cattle-buying demand. His most prominent customers were Foxley Feedyards and Cactus Feeders.

Tom and Merrill ”Bub” Bond were partners in team roping, and whenever they showed up at a roping event, they had people quakin’ in their boots! He was also an active member of BPOE 1147 Elks Lodge in Rocky Ford, Colorado, where he launched a scholarship fundraising golf tournament and successfully led it for more than a decade.

The Arkansas Valley Fair was a big part of the family’s life during the summer. Andee and Dudley showed livestock, and Tom was actively involved in the horse races. He was the Horse Racing Director and on the Arkansas Valley Fair Board for more than a decade. Following in his father’s footsteps, he was elected President of the Board in November of 1991 for the 1992 fair. Then, elected again in November of 1992 for the 1993 fair.

Golf was Tom’s greatest passion later in life. He achieved an impressive 16 holes-in-one and had the reputation as being the BEST PUTTER. He was a proud member of the La Junta Golf Club, and after moving to Texas, he joined the Schreiner Golf Course in Kerrville, where he enjoyed playing in The Mulligan Golf League.

Tom was a member of the Ordway United Methodist Church and established the ”Bob and Barbara Johnson Memorial” scholarship fund, which awarded scholarships to graduating seniors of Crowley County High School. After moving to Kerrville, he attended the First United Methodist Church.

Tom is survived by his wife, Connie; his children: Andee (Gary Starbuck), Dudley (Kelly Snyder), and Julie (Quinton Clayton); his grandchildren: Skylar McNulty (Starbuck), Mackenzee Hand (Starbuck), DL and Harvey Snyder, Kendall and Charlee Clayton; and his great-grandchildren: Jubilee and Jewel Hand. He is also survived by his sister, Jo Ann Johnson and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, Bob and Barbara Johnson, and his brother, Mac Johnson.

A celebration of life will be held in the fall of 2026 in Colorado.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Dietert Center in Kerrville, TX. https://www.dietertcenter.org/