1947
Richard
2016
Richard "Rick" Vernon Johnston
August 21, 1947 — April 18, 2016
Ransom Canyon
On the afternoon of Monday, April 18, 2016, Richard "Rick" Vernon Johnston passed away after being diagnosed with advanced lung cancer only three weeks before. He passed away at the University Medical Center while being comforted by family and a close friend Kerry Brunken.
Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m., Saturday, April 23, 2016 at the First Baptist Church in Rochester, Texas with Reverend Jim McCurley officiating. Internment will take place immediately following the service at Rochester Cemetery under the direction of Smith Family Funeral Homes.
Rick was a caring and supportive father and grandfather. He was his daughter's rock who learned many important life lessons through his wisdom. As a young boy growing up in West Texas he loved to hunt, fish and live life. His family moved to Australia where his dad built cotton gins. Rick and his brother Dale worked to raise 280 acres of cotton in Australia after the sudden and unexpected death of their father. The crop did well and the family returned to Texas in 1966. He lived in Lubbock, Texas most of his life, until retiring in 2007 he moved to Ransom Canyon, Texas where he lived until time of his death.
Rick joined the Navy to serve two tours during the Vietnam War and then moved back to West Texas. He was an avid motorcycle and car enthusiast. He was once a member of the Southern Cruisers Motorcycle Club until he was physically unable to ride due to his physical limitations.
He loved NASCAR and never missed a race. His favorite was Dale Earnhart, Sr. He loved fishing, camping, nature and history. He would take long rides in his pickup truck with his daughter in search of wild boars, turkey and deer while stopping at every historical marker along the way. He instilled the appreciation of nature and history in his daughter and grandkids.
He loved to tell anyone that would listen, how his granddaughter, Madison Bishop, was going to be the next Sheryl Swoopes. He was so special to many and will be eternally missed and remembered with love and admiration.
Rick is survived by his daughter, Marie Johnston and Tony Zenon of Hurst, Texas; three grandchildren, Madison Bishop, Christian Zenon and Evelyn Zenon; two brothers, Lynn Dale Johnston and wife Deborahe of Navasota, Texas and Jackie Roy Johnston of Rosharon, Texas; two sisters, Sandra Wilson and husband Michael and Mary Elaine Brooks both from Corpus Christi, Texas; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Joseph "Jack" Austin Johnston and Christina Grace (Milligan); and brother, Robin Johnston.
If desired, memorials can be sent in Rick's name to Wounded Warriors Project, 4899 Belfort Road, Suite 300, Jacksonville, Florida 32256, (904)296-7350.
Online condolences can be shared with Rick's family at www.smithfamilyfh.com.
Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m., Saturday, April 23, 2016 at the First Baptist Church in Rochester, Texas with Reverend Jim McCurley officiating. Internment will take place immediately following the service at Rochester Cemetery under the direction of Smith Family Funeral Homes.
Rick was a caring and supportive father and grandfather. He was his daughter's rock who learned many important life lessons through his wisdom. As a young boy growing up in West Texas he loved to hunt, fish and live life. His family moved to Australia where his dad built cotton gins. Rick and his brother Dale worked to raise 280 acres of cotton in Australia after the sudden and unexpected death of their father. The crop did well and the family returned to Texas in 1966. He lived in Lubbock, Texas most of his life, until retiring in 2007 he moved to Ransom Canyon, Texas where he lived until time of his death.
Rick joined the Navy to serve two tours during the Vietnam War and then moved back to West Texas. He was an avid motorcycle and car enthusiast. He was once a member of the Southern Cruisers Motorcycle Club until he was physically unable to ride due to his physical limitations.
He loved NASCAR and never missed a race. His favorite was Dale Earnhart, Sr. He loved fishing, camping, nature and history. He would take long rides in his pickup truck with his daughter in search of wild boars, turkey and deer while stopping at every historical marker along the way. He instilled the appreciation of nature and history in his daughter and grandkids.
He loved to tell anyone that would listen, how his granddaughter, Madison Bishop, was going to be the next Sheryl Swoopes. He was so special to many and will be eternally missed and remembered with love and admiration.
Rick is survived by his daughter, Marie Johnston and Tony Zenon of Hurst, Texas; three grandchildren, Madison Bishop, Christian Zenon and Evelyn Zenon; two brothers, Lynn Dale Johnston and wife Deborahe of Navasota, Texas and Jackie Roy Johnston of Rosharon, Texas; two sisters, Sandra Wilson and husband Michael and Mary Elaine Brooks both from Corpus Christi, Texas; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Joseph "Jack" Austin Johnston and Christina Grace (Milligan); and brother, Robin Johnston.
If desired, memorials can be sent in Rick's name to Wounded Warriors Project, 4899 Belfort Road, Suite 300, Jacksonville, Florida 32256, (904)296-7350.
Online condolences can be shared with Rick's family at www.smithfamilyfh.com.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Richard "Rick" Vernon Johnston, please visit our flower store.
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