John Williamson Obituary

John Robert Williamson ROWLETT, TX - John went peacefully to his Lord and Savior at 7:30 in the evening of Saturday, the 19th of January. A private graveside service will be held Thursday, January 24, 2013 in Magnolia Cemetery. Arrangements by J. Henry Stuhr, Inc., Downtown Chapel. Born in Fort Worth, TX on March 28, 1943, John grew up in Orange, TX, the son of Robert Darnell Williamson and Audrey Anderson Williamson. Upon graduating high school, he enrolled at The Citadel in Charleston, SC. He was Business Manager of The Brigadier (newspaper) and Sports Editor for The Sphinx (yearbook). He was on the Dean's List and graduated in 1965 with a B.A. in Political Science. It was while a cadet that he met the love of his life and future wife, Ruth Carol Tharin Smith. He and Tharin (nicknamed DeeDee) met at a picnic. Originally, neither planned to attend the picnic, but Fate was not deterred: they did go, they did meet...and it was instant love. John and Tharin married and spent 48 years in happy union with each other. John's career began in South Carolina in commercial banking. Over the course of two decades, he worked for three banking corporations as vice-president and branch manager. This phase of his career ended in Louisiana in 1985. Following this, he joined the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) in its Houston, TX office and so began his career in the public sector. He rose to the level of Section Chief and Investigations Specialist and after a much lauded career, he retired in 2005. His retirement would prove short-lived, though, as the FDIC called him out of retirement to assist with the home mortgage debacle that was crippling the country in the late 2000s. He worked diligently in this capacity-and helped train the next generation-until cancer forced him into a second retirement. In his private life, John was active as a civic leader, including long-standing participation in Rotary International in both Louisiana and South Carolina Rotary Clubs. Yet always most important to John was family. A compassionate father, he and his wife raised three sons. He leaves behind many friends and colleagues who will remember him for his integrity, character, and kindness. He leaves behind a family thankful for his devotion and love, each of whom will cherish memories of times spent in his gentle company. John is preceded in death by his parents and by his granddaughter, Anna Grace. He is survived by his adoring wife, Tharin, of Rowlett, TX; eldest son, Robert Stewart Williamson, wife Diane, of Pageland, SC, and their children Kyle Alexander Williamson, Conor Jourdan Williamson, Shawn Vijay Gopaul, Kristina Diane Gopaul, Andrew Vijay Gopaul, Shantie Diane Mathis; and great-grandchildren Tristan Wayne Mathis, Kylee Noel Mathis, Rylan Wayne Mathis; middle son, Paul Andrew Williamson, wife Lessley, and their children Emily Hart Williamson and Paul Andrew Williamson, Jr. of Lafayette, LA; and youngest son David Bruce Williamson, wife Larissa, and daughters Sophia Grace Williamson and Julia Faith Williamson, of Frisco, TX. John lived a full life and gave of himself unreservedly. He fought the valiant fight, but in the end, Paradise called and he answered. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that a donation be made to one's favorite animal advocacy charity. A memorial message may be sent to the family by visiting www.jhenrystuhr.com. Visit our guestbook at www.legacy.com/obituaries/ charleston