Roll Call Tribute

Thomas David Behne ‘52
March 15, 1931 - June 20, 2022

David Behne passed away on June 20, 2022, at his residence. He was 91. Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, June 28th, at 10 am at Christ Church in College Station, Texas. The family will receive visitors from 4 pm – 6 pm on Monday, June 27th, at the Callaway-Jones Funeral Home in Bryan, Texas.

Thomas David Behne was born in Abilene, Texas, on March 15th, 1931 to Joe and Peggy Behne. David’s family moved to Dallas where he graduated from Sunset High School in 1948. He met his wife of 70 years, Mary Lou, at Kessler Park Methodist church. In September 1948, David enrolled at Texas A&M University beginning an unwavering association with the Aggies that would last the rest of his life. David and Mary Lou married in December 1951.

Upon graduating from A&M in 1953, David began 2 years of service in the US Army in the Army Security Agency including a tour in Korea. His first job after his discharge was with Convair Aircraft Company in Fort Worth. In 1958, David returned to Texas A&M to pursue his Masters degree in Civil Engineering. He joined IBM in 1960 which led to a series of cross-country moves until he landed at the Manned Spacecraft Center in Houston as an IBM Division Manager. 1966 brought an offer from Texas entrepreneur Ross Perot to join a start-up company called Electronic Data Systems (EDS) where David remained until his retirement. The technical pioneers of EDS would go on to create what is now known as the Information Technology Services Industry. During his 25 years with the company, David developed their signature training program while rising to the level of Vice President. He was named Outstanding Employee of the year in 1970. His dynamic speaking style and ‘cards on the table’ approach were key to a smooth transition for GM employees who became part of EDS in 1986. David retired from EDS in 1991. Two of his children went on to work for EDS also.

David learned to play golf as a teenager in Dallas and played regularly through his 80’s. He had 3 holes-in-one during his life and enjoyed playing in tournaments and on vacation. After retiring, David and Mary Lou traveled extensively, visiting every continent but Africa. They lived in Arizona briefly and were frequent summer visitors to Colorado. In 1997, they felt called back to College Station and the Spirit of Aggieland where their married life began. They became season ticket holders for multiple sports at Texas A&M and joined the Maroon Club to support women’s sports. David and Mary Lou are founding members of Christ Church and participated in many church activities over the last 25 years.

David is survived by his wife of 70 years, Mary Lou; Daughter Linda Judd and her husband Craig; Son Tom Behne and his wife Christine; Daughter Patti Miller; Grandchildren Kevin, Allison, Emily, Jamie, Claire and Stone; Great-granddaughter Harper; Older brother Joe Behne Jr.

Donations can be made to The Aggie Ring Scholarship Program.