John William Johnston passed away on Wednesday, October 4 at 10:51 p.m., surrounded by family and loved ones.
Associate Pastor John Harp will officiate services at 2 p.m. on Saturday, October 7 at Brookwood Baptist Church in Shreveport. Visitation will begin at 1 p.m.
He was born on September 5, 1930 in Webster Parish, LA. to Brooksey and Josephine Simolke Johnston. He was a man of faith and family, a quiet and reserved presence with a large and gleeful laugh that belied any pretense of his stoic stature. He was a salesman, a businessman, and an investor of many interests.
John served as a deacon at Brookwood Baptist Church where he\'d been a member since 1956. He taught men\'s bible classes at Brookwood for several years, a commitment that combined his faith and beliefs with his natural talent as a storyteller.
After retiring, he loved working in his garden and sharing his homegrown fruits and vegetables with friends and neighbors. He was an active tennis player and cherished the time he spent with his grandchildren, especially those who liked to ride in the golf cart.
John is preceded in death by his wife Mary Elise Johnston, his beloved daughter Karen Denise Rascoe and his brother Mickey Johnston. He is survived by his sister Dorothy Jean McLean, sons Brooks Johnston, Keith Johnston, Carey and his wife Carmelita Johnston, his daughter Carolyn Troupe and her husband Rudolph, and his grandson Justin Rascoe. He also leaves behind 14 other grandchildren and seven great grandchildren.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Louisiana Baptist Children's Home or Billy Graham Ministries.