Richard Don Johnston
July 6, 1936 — June 28, 2024
Richard Don Johnston went to be with the Lord Friday, June 28, 2024. He was number 6 of 9 children born July, 6th 1936 to the late Jesse Roy Johnston and Emma Purifoy Johnston in Holland, Arkansas. He graduated in 1955 from Greenbrier High School where he played Baseball and Basketball. During his senior year, the Basketball team finished runner-up in the state tournament and he was named to the All-State team. His love of playing sports continued throughout his life to also include golf and beanbag baseball as well as coaching many youth baseball and basketball teams.
After school he joined the Army Reserve and began a career in carpentry building houses. In 1977, he started Conway Trophy and Awards which he later ran with his son, Donny, until 2001. After retirement, he drove a school bus for Greenbrier schools.
He married the love of his life, Nina Ruth Ward, at Damascus United Methodist church on November 18, 1960. They built a house and life together in Greenbrier, AR which included 2 sons, Donny and Mickey, and a grand-daughter, Kinley. He was an avid lover of animals and had a multitude of pets including horses, dogs, goats, cats, donkeys, rabbits, mini-horses, and even a skunk and ground-hog. He loved to take his grand-daughter to the Lewis Salebarn and came home with an unplanned purchase on more than one occasion.
Richard was a dedicated fan of the Arkansas Razorbacks, Chicago Cubs and Greenbrier Panthers. He loved watching Football, Basketball and Baseball and had a large fan wardrobe including multiple baseball caps.
He was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers, Charles and Buddy, four sisters, Sarah Groh, Jean Garrett, Betty McDaniel and Juanita Coney. He is survived by his wife Nina of 63 years, 2 sons, Donny and Mickey, 1 grand-daughter, Kinley, 2 brothers, Jimmy (Ruth) and Lindy (Karen) and numerous nieces, nephews and friends.
Honorary pallbearers will be Cliff Johnston, Craig Johnston, Tim Brewer, Jerry Mauldin, Cary Johnston, Steve Baker, Ronald Pierce, Joe Bryant.
Visitation will be from 6:00pm to 8:00pm on Sunday, June 30, 2024 at Wilcox Family Funeral Home.
Funeral will be at 11:00am on Monday, July 1, 2024 at Wilcox Family Funeral Home with a private family burial following.
After school he joined the Army Reserve and began a career in carpentry building houses. In 1977, he started Conway Trophy and Awards which he later ran with his son, Donny, until 2001. After retirement, he drove a school bus for Greenbrier schools.
He married the love of his life, Nina Ruth Ward, at Damascus United Methodist church on November 18, 1960. They built a house and life together in Greenbrier, AR which included 2 sons, Donny and Mickey, and a grand-daughter, Kinley. He was an avid lover of animals and had a multitude of pets including horses, dogs, goats, cats, donkeys, rabbits, mini-horses, and even a skunk and ground-hog. He loved to take his grand-daughter to the Lewis Salebarn and came home with an unplanned purchase on more than one occasion.
Richard was a dedicated fan of the Arkansas Razorbacks, Chicago Cubs and Greenbrier Panthers. He loved watching Football, Basketball and Baseball and had a large fan wardrobe including multiple baseball caps.
He was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers, Charles and Buddy, four sisters, Sarah Groh, Jean Garrett, Betty McDaniel and Juanita Coney. He is survived by his wife Nina of 63 years, 2 sons, Donny and Mickey, 1 grand-daughter, Kinley, 2 brothers, Jimmy (Ruth) and Lindy (Karen) and numerous nieces, nephews and friends.
Honorary pallbearers will be Cliff Johnston, Craig Johnston, Tim Brewer, Jerry Mauldin, Cary Johnston, Steve Baker, Ronald Pierce, Joe Bryant.
Visitation will be from 6:00pm to 8:00pm on Sunday, June 30, 2024 at Wilcox Family Funeral Home.
Funeral will be at 11:00am on Monday, July 1, 2024 at Wilcox Family Funeral Home with a private family burial following.
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