John "Johnny" L. Hillhouse

John Louis "Johnny" Hillhouse, 69, of Brookshire, passed away on Friday, January 28, 2022.

Johnny was welcomed into this world on August 17, 1952.  He was born in Pinebluff, Arkansas and was the son of Arthur and Evelyn Sue (Taber) Hillhouse.  At a young age the family moved to Florida, Houston and then settled in Katy, TX.  Johnny attended Katy schools and graduated with the Class of 1970 from Katy High School.  He loved playing sports and was known to be very competitive, with nothing standing in the way of a win!  He was voted Most Handsome, Mr. Katy High School and was Captain of the Katy Tigers football team his Senior year.  Johnny made many lasting friendships while attending Katy schools.

After graduation Johnny went to work for Houston Lighting and Power for several years.  He also attended night classes at South Texas Junior College in Houston in addition to working. In 1973 it was love at first sight when he met Patsy!  They were later married on January 9, 1976.  Johnny and Patsy made their home in Brookshire and the union was blessed with 5 children, Jeff, Chris, Brad, Karen and Stephanie. Shortly after they decided Johnny would attend college full time and Patsy would continue to work to help make that possible.  He graduated with honors from the University of Houston in 1977.  He was very proud to be a U of H Cougar Alumni....Go Cougs!  After graduating college Johnny went back to work for HL&P as a Power Consultant and shortly after he began his career with Exxon in 1978.  Johnny started out in the "Gang" and worked his way up to the Senior Field Superintendent at the Katy Gas Plant.  The last three years with Exxon he commuted to the Greenspoint office as a consultant and was happy to be able to retire at 55 years old.  Johnny retired from Exxon in 2007 after 28 years of service.

Throughout this time Johnny, along with Patsy, were very involved with the Brookshire Baseball Program and Katy Youth Football League. Johnny was the baseball coach for the Astros, football coach for the Cowboys and served as a board member for the KYF program.   Johnny loved being a coach, loved the kids, played the game fair, but also was known to take winning very seriously!  He touched the lives of so many children and to this day many still love and respect Mr. and Mrs. Hillhouse. Johnny also served as a Royal Booster Club President, Royal FFA Parade Committee member, Cub Scout Leader and as a chaperone for many Methodist Youth Fellowship trips.  His support was seen at countless games and school events while supporting his children at Royal ISD.  Johnny was also very proud to belong to the Brookshire Masonic Lodge #1066 where he had the privilege to serve as Master for two years. Johnny was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Brookshire where he accepted Jesus Christ as his Savior.

After retirement Johnny and Patsy continued their love for traveling.  They purchased a fifth wheel, their "Little House" as they referred to it, and decided to place it permanently in Rockport, TX.  Rockport was a very special place to them and a place they have been visiting for 49 years together.  Johnny enjoyed fishing and liked to end the day going for a boat ride to just relax and take in all the beauty of the coast.  He also enjoyed attending many festivals, particularly his favorite, the Fulton OysterFest.  Johnny loved listening to music and dancing with Patsy.  When he could no longer get up and dance as well as he did in the past, Patsy would hold his hand and dance around him in the chair.  They absolutely loved dancing together!  Many years ago they had the pleasure of meeting Riptide (Mike Isbell), a local Rockport band, and developed a friendship with the entire band.  Their friendship is still special to this day.

Johnny was an avid reader and liked to read anything related to History.  He enjoyed visiting and "shooting the bull" with his friends, playing dominoes, shooting pool and attending BBQ cookoffs.  Johnny especially enjoyed Saturdays spent with friends where they played in monthly shuffleboard tournaments and gathered at different places to sip on a few cold ones. Everyone knows he was not a walk away kind of guy.  You always knew where he stood; be it good or bad. He liked to have fun and had fun doing many things, but he LOVED his country rides in the Jeep with Patsy just visiting and riding through the countryside.  Johnny and Patsy adored having fun together......where you saw one, you saw them both.  Today we take Johnny on one last ride through the country where he can ride off into the sunset.

Johnny loved his family dearly!  He was a very proud Dad and Grandfather and always looked forward to family get-togethers. Johnny cherished his grandchildren and took great pride in being their PawPaw. They could always count on one of PawPaw's corny jokes being shared with the family. When his children were younger Johnny had fun taking his wife and children on family vacations to Rockport and many destinations from coast to coast.  Countless fun times were had in a little popup camper and Astro Minivan.  Johnny's love of family also extended to his numerous In-Laws, nieces and nephews.  Uncle Johnny was a familiar face at family holidays and family events.  His love for family was evident and his heart so big. And the love Johnny and Patsy shared was so much more than just husband and wife......they were Partners, Lovers, Soul Mates and Best Friends!  He will be dearly missed.

He is survived by his wife of 46 years, Patsy;  daughters: Karen Divin and husband, T.J. of Sealy, and Stephanie Beckendorff and husband, Brad of Sealy; sons:  Jeff Shearer and wife, Lea, of Pattison, Chris Hillhouse of Houston and Brad Hillhouse of Brookshire,ten grandchildren:  Valerie Neal (Kyle), Jaylynn Hood (Calvin), Allison Hillhouse, Karyss Divin, John Hillhouse, Jr., Hunter Shearer, Nolan Hillhouse, Lane Divin, Bricen Beckendorff, Royce Beckendorff; two great-grandchildren Alahna Hood and Saint Hood; sister: Anice Divin; Brother: Raymond Hillhouse and a host of nieces and nephews; many, many friends.  He was preceded in death by his parents: Arthur Hillhouse and Evelyn "Susie" Longenbaugh, grandparents, sister: Susan Carol Hillhouse, Mother-In-Law: Emily Skrivanek Orange, Brother-in-Law: Marvin Divin, Sister-In-Law: Tibby Hillhouse, and several other family members that were very dear to his heart.

Friends who wish may make memorial gifts to the:

Shriners Hospitals for Children
815 Market Street
Galveston, Texas 77550