Gene Johnston

Gene Johnston, 86, was called to heaven Tuesday, May 20, 2014 after a brave battle with cancer. He was born December 16, 1927 in Bay City, Texas to Earl & Johnny Benge Johnston. He is survived by a loving wife, Sammie Johnston; daughters Linda Johnston of Tulsa, and Luann Williams and husband Jim; two grandchildren: Rachel Cutrer and husband Brandon, and Catherine Neumayr and husband Luke; and one great grandchild; Mollie Cutrer. He was preceded in death by his parents, brother Jack Johnston and sisters Evelyn Layne, Frances Miller, Kathryn Hayes, and Mary Ann Melton. Gene graduated from Boling High School in 1946 and attended Texas A&M University where he studied engineering but was not able to complete his degree due to naval responsibilities. He served 2 years as a midshipman in the United States Navy. In 1949, he married Sammie Shelton, his high school sweetheart with whom he celebrated 64 years of a joyous and happy marriage. He was a man who devoted his life to first his God, second to his wife and family, and third to serving others through his work, hobbies, civic involvement, and church activities. He had an accomplished career with TexasGulf Sulphur, where he worked his way up from initially being hired as a painter to retiring after 37 years as assistant manager of the maintenance department. After retirement, he invested his time and talents towards helping others. He began volunteering his engineering skills at his son-in-laws family ranch, V8 Ranch where he spent more than 20 years repairing and managing their equipment and facilities. He travelled nationwide with his granddaughters to cattle shows and also greatly enjoyed hunting, the outdoors, and building things in his shop. Gene was dedicated to the Newgulf and Boling communities, and was previously named Boling Man of the Year for his civic contributions. He was elected by his fellow citizens to serve 24 years as a trustee of the Boling Independent School District, including several terms as president. He served more than 20 years as a board member and president of TexasGulf Federal Credit Union. He was an active member of the Iago Federated Church, also serving as board chairman where he was an advocate for Christian youth programs and community outreach. He was also a member of the Lions Club, Concerned Citizens Against Pollution, Boling Chamber of Commerce, and proud supporter of many clubs and organizations in Boling. Pallbearers are Francisco Garcia, Allen Ferrell, Larry Fisher, Larry Hill, Ron Hobbs, Frank Robinson, Mike Sterry, and Larry Womack. Honorary pallbearers are Frank Arnt, Bill Bell, Kenneth Bishop, Butch Bond, Ernest Chudalla, Joe Doyle, Kit Goree, Bob Fulton, Burt Matzke, Devoy Shaw, Billy Watkins, and Sloan Williams. A memorial service will be held at 10:30 a.m. Friday, May 23 at Iago Federated Church in Iago.