Wayne Robert Johansen

Wayne Robert Johansen, age 87, passed away August 14, 2026, in Kingwood, TX.

He was born May 18, 1939, in Chicago, Illinois. He lived in Chicago as a child, and then spent his teenage years in St. Petersburg, Florida, graduating from Boca Ciega High School in 1957.

Wayne was proud to have served his country in the United States Army for 3 years, serving in Germany as an Artillery Fire Direction Center Specialist. After returning to civilian life, he attended Florida State University, where he met his future wife, Susan Kittrell Johansen. They were married in 1964. He then worked in Chicago with his grandfather in sales and eventually graduated with a business degree from Northwestern University.

Wayne had a successful business career, starting out in sales, and eventually moving into Human Resources and Labor Relations. He worked for companies like TRW, Gulf Chemical, Gulf Oil, and Chevron. His various jobs kept his family moving around several cities in Florida (St. Petersburg, Miami, and Panama City), Kansas City, KS, and finally to Houston in 1979. He also worked for 10 years as Chevron’s Country HR Manager for Angola, before retiring in 1995. He finished his career with some smaller companies as an HR Manager or Consultant.

He is survived by his wife, Susan of Kingwood, TX; daughters Kristi (Ken) Meno, and Karen (Jeff) Leath of Kingwood, TX; and son Wayne (Amy) Johansen Jr. of Decatur, TX. Wayne had 10 grandchildren – Armando, Cristian and Gabriela Selva (children of Kristi); Ben, Will, Anna, and Sam Johansen (children of Wayne); and Kyle Connelly, Matt and Jenna Leath (children and stepchildren of Karen Leath). He has also had two recent great-grandchildren, Hudson and Jace. He is preceded in death by his parents, Stanley and Betty Johansen, his brother Thomas Johansen, his in-laws Ferrall and Thelma Kittrell, and his brothers-in-law Neal and John Paul Kittrell. He is survived by sisters Betsy Johansen (Dave) Outten, Patty Johansen Anthony, and Cathy Johansen (Frank) Cimo; brother Bill (Marilyn) Johansen; and sister-in-law Sarah Kittrell.

Wayne led a full and interesting life. He had many hobbies – racing cars and driving auto-cross; boating and sailing; hunting; building gliders, and HAM radio. He showed his love through acts of service – Wayne was always there for his wife, children and grandchildren when they needed help with buying cars or car repair, home repair, or fixing any other type of problem. Wayne was incredibly proud of the success of his children and grandchildren.

There will be a private service for family on August 29 at 11:00 a.m. Flowers can be sent through the instructions below or the family asks that donations be considered for the following charities in Wayne’s name:

The Fallen Outdoors - https://thefallenoutdoors.org/donate/

St. Martha’s Kitchen: Please contact: Sr. Carmen Sanchez, Martha's Kitchen Director / Administrator, (713) 224-2522