Thomas "Tom" William Johnston

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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