Thomas Boyce Johnston was a tenpin career man for 18 years in the Washington area, sharing fully in helping to establish and foster the growth of the sport as a lane operator, manager and a member of the American Bowling Congress for over 30 years.Back to Hall of FameBoyce joined his first league in Huntsville, Ala., in 1937, bowling in a travel league composed of teams from communities in northern Alabama. He was called to active service in 1939, served in the Army Engineers and attained the rank of major.
After serving the duration of World War 11 in Alaska, he returned to Jefferson Barracks in Missouri, where he won the 5th Army Doubles Championships with Vernon Ashbacher.
In 1946, Boyce left the service and settled in the D.C. area, where he formed a partnership with John Rodock - first for a 40-lane center in Bethesda, and in 1948 they purchased the 12-lane Rosslyn Bowling Center. After converting the duckpin lanes, they operated the center until 1963, when the center was closed for the newly proposed Route 66.
To promote bowling, Boyce helped arrange area visits from tenpin stars such as Joe Falcaro and national match game champion Peppy Ferrari.
In 1956 Rosslyn was outfitted with automatic pinspotters, and this permitted Boyce additional time to instruct new bowlers, including clinics held every Saturday for a group of juniors.
Boyce, with partner Rodock, was a strong promoter of association programs, pushing entries for the association tournament and originating the system of entire leagues entering the event.
He also was an ardent supporter of the BVL.
Well-known as a tournament bowler, Boyce traveled many miles to compete in events. He participated in 21 consecutive local association tournaments, and in 1949 he was the all-events scratch champion. He repeated the following year, while also winning the doubles and singles scratch events. He had a 693 high series, 298 game and a top average Of 190.
T. Boyce Johnston's ambition always was to make bowling in this area something the rest of the nation would point to with pride. His untiring efforts toward that goal have earned him a most honored spot in the NCABA Hall of Fame.