Dean Johnston, 86, passed away July 26, 2014, at Hospice of East Texas after a lengthy illness. He was born June 22, 1928 in Smith County Texas to David Monroe Johnston and Callie Bickley Johnston. He graduated from Tyler High and then attended Tyler Commercial College. In 1948 he married Billie Louise Yancy, wife of 50 years, was then drafted and served in the US Army during the Korean conflict from 1953 - 1955, and then reservist until 1957, with final rank as a corporal. After returning from the war he was employed by Tyler Ready Mix and Asphalt as a supervisor for 21 years. He was then employed by LaGloria Oil and Gas (now Delek Refining) where he retired as a shift supervisor after 27 years. He married Mary Nell Johnson in September 1999. He was a member of the Pairs and a Spares Sunday School class and member of Bethel Baptist Church in Chapel Hill, Texas where he sang in the choir. He was a former member of Central Baptist Church.
He was a loving Christian husband, daddy, brother, uncle, cousin, friend, and Poppa to his family.
Dean was a collector of art and owner of Johnston Collections. He loved traveling and vacationing in Colorado. He loved music and sang in barbershop quartets. He loved his family more than anything.
Dean is preceded in death by his first wife Billie Johnston of Tyler; father and mother David and Callie Johnston of Tyler; brother Allen Johnston of Arlington, Texas; and brother Walter Johnston of Arp, Texas.
He is survived by his wife, Mary Nell of Chapel Hill; son Michael Dean Johnston and daughter in-law Karol of Van; brother Thomas Johnston and wife Brenda of Arp; sister in-law Lela Mae Johnston of Arp; sister Sadie and husband Alan Hoffman of Dam B; Joshua Johnston, grandson, wife Kristi Pelt Johnston, and granddaughter Maci Lou Johnston of Ben Wheeler, Texas; and grandson Nathan Johnston of Midland, Texas. He also is survived by step-son Greg Johnson and wife Suzanne of Chapel Hill; step-daughter Debbie Chachere and husband Mark of Tyler; step-son Jeff Johnson of Eugene, Oregon; and step-son Keith Johnson and wife Kristy of Chandler. He is survived by numerous step grandchildren and step great-grandchildren...
He is also survived by several nieces and nephews, cousins, and many friends.
A memorial service will be at Lloyd James Funeral Home at 10:00 am on Tuesday, July 29, 2014.
Interment will be at Rose Hill Cemetery in Tyler, Texas.
Visitation is scheduled for Monday evening at Lloyd James Funeral Home on, July 28th, from 5:00-7:00 p.m.
Memorials can be made to Bethel Baptist Church or Hospice of East Texas in lieu of flowers.
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