Thomas "Tom" William Johnston
August 3, 1939 ~ May 20, 2020
Thomas "Tom" William Johnston, age 80, of Palestine, left this world for his heavenly home on Wednesday, the 20th day of May 2020, in Tyler, Texas. He was born on the 3rd day of August 1939, in Teaselville, Texas, to William Morris Johnston and Birtie Lou Cameron Johnston.
Mr. Johnston owned and operated East Texas Oil Field Construction for 40 years. He also was the county trapper for Anderson and Henderson Counties for many years. He loved to build ponds and lakes, and garden. He would grow vegetables just to give them away to family and friends. Mr. Johnston was an avid arrowhead hunter and had acquired quite a large collection. Mr. Johnston was a member of Midway Baptist Church and had a loving and giving personality that will be greatly missed.
He is preceded in death by his parents William and Birtie Johnston; son, Bubba Johnston; sister, Annabell Johnston; brother, Bobby Ray Johnston; and granddaughter, Mazie Naquin.
Mr. Johnston leaves behind his loving wife of 58 years, Pat Johnston; daughters, Melissa Kelley and husband Jerry Don of Bradford, Melinda Naquin and Brent Speir of Pineville, LA; son, Danny Johnston and wife Catherine of Brushy Creek; sisters, Mary Hall, Francis Eaton, Glenda Ballard and husband Jimmy, Betty Ried, Brenda Sue Richardson and husband Steve; brothers, Billy Morris Johnston and wife Brenda Ann, James Johnston and wife Wanda, Dave Johnston and wife Karen, Barney Johnston and wife Dione; sister-in-law, Gaylyn Wilbanks and husband Randy; 10 grandchildren; and 13 great-grandchildren. Mr. Johnston is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews.
Friends are cordially invited to a visitation with the family from five o'clock until seven o'clock in the evening, on Friday, the 22nd day of May 2020, at Dogwood Hills Baptist Church.
A funeral service to celebrate Mr. Johnston's life is to be conducted at two o'clock in the afternoon, on Saturday, the 23rd day of May 2020, at Dogwood Hills Baptist Church with James Johnston and Joe Ballard officiating. Interment will follow in Hopewell Cemetery in Brushy Creek.
Those honored to serve as pallbearers are Cameron Naquin, Kris Johnston, Ryan Johnston, Ron Hall, Tim Hall, Nerus Collins, Luke Richardson and William Glenn. Honorary pallbearers will be Donald Mosley and David Lang.
Funeral services for Thomas William Johnston are in care of Rhone Funeral Home, 3900 S. State Highway 19, Palestine, Texas.
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Your family is in my thoughts and prayers.
-Doylene Baker
Tom was a neighbor and friend , he took me under his wing when i moved to Brushy Creek, he would do anything for anybody, had the most respect for him, and outwork most people, may the family find peace at this time in Jesus Christ
Mr. Johnston wasa good man. One of my favorite customers when I worked for East Texas National. He also made the best Salsa. My thoughts & prayers are with the family during this difficult time. Heaven received a true treasure but he will be greatly missed here on earth.
Mike and I cannot express the heartbreak felt at the loss of Tom. He was such a caring and giving soul. There have been so many memories that have just popped up out of the blue. He will be missed in the flesh but will remain forever in our hearts. We pray that the Lord will give each member of your family strength, healing and peace. God bless and keep you all.ÂÂ
Some of my favorite memories of my cousin Tom and his wife Pat. Living in Brushy Creek and visiting my cousins was so much fun. The wild animals would just come in their yard to visit.i remember a small deer it would come and I could pet it. Tom was a very nice person and Pat also I had moved from Oak Cliff ,Texas to the middle of the woods. I learned a lot from them. I will never forget all my Johnston family that lived in Brushy Creek, Texas. I love y’all 💗.