Elwin "Pete" Johnson's Obituary
Elwin “Pete” Johnson, 1935-2017. Pete was born on a farm in Nokomis, Illinois as the youngest of eight children. After high school, he attended the University of Illinois where he earned his Ph.D. in Metallurgical Engineering. He married and had three children with his first wife, Barbara. They moved to Texas and began a long and successful career at Texas Instruments in Dallas. During his years at TI, he was involved in groundbreaking development for the Solar Energy Project and was responsible for research which leads to the first personal computers. He later married Nell Owen in 1967 and was a loving stepfather to her sons Mitch and Bart. Pete’s unconditional love, gentle demeanor, and boundless patience were extraordinary. When you were with him, he dropped everything and made you feel like you were the most important person on earth. Pete is survived by his children: Bret Johnson and husband Paul Kass of St. Helena, California; Stacey Lucchino and husband Larry of Boston; Stephanie Moore and husband Rodney of Dallas; Mitchell Owen and wife Suzzane of Forney, Texas; and Bart Owen and wife Sharon, of Garland, Texas. He is also survived by his grandchildren: Davis Ballard of La Jolla, California; Blair Ballard of Boston; Cale Wilkinson of Bedford,Texas; Ali Wilkinson of Dallas; Haley Bell and husband Andrew and great-granddaughters Sage and Edie of Boston; Jenna Owen and fiance Ryan Ciardo of Dallas; and Scott Owen and fiancee Sally Seale of Dallas. He also leaves behind many dear relatives and friends. Pete was a long-standing member of the Royal Lane Baptist Church in Dallas. His wife Nell preceded him in death in 2009. He is now reunited with the love of his life. The family wishes to thank the wonderful staff and friends at Silverado Turtle Creek Memory Care for their friendship, dedication, and care during his residency. Visitation will be on Wednesday, February 8, 6:00-8:00 PM at Restland Funeral Home, Dallas. Service will be on Thursday, February 9, 11:00 AM at Royal Lane Baptist Church, Dallas with a pre-reception at 10:15. In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Elwin “Pete” Johnson can be made to: The Foundation of Massachusetts Eye and Ear to support the Dr. Gragoudas Melanoma Research Fund. Please make checks payable to Foundation of Massachusetts Eye and Ear, Development Office, 243 Charles Street, Boston, MA 02114. Gifts can also be made online at www.MassEyeAndEar.org/donations or by calling 617-573-4312 or to McLean Hospital/ Research on Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Conditions: online at www.givemclean.partners.org or by check to McLean Hospital, Mail stop 126, 115 Mill Street, Belmont, MA 02478. Please Indicate In memory of Elwin “Pete” Johnson in the memo field. Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Restland Funeral Home and Memorial Park, 13005 Greenville Avenue, at Restland Road, Dallas, TX 75243.
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