Memorial Service
Rathdrum Lions Club-
-
-
Email Details
-
16114 N. Meyer Rd.
Rathdrum, ID 83858
Bobby Johnston
September 16, 1946 — February 1, 2017
Bobby Johnston
Bobby Lee Johnston, 70
Bobby Johnston left this world and entered the next as he wanted … surrounded by his loving family. While those who were lucky enough to have known him are poorer for his parting, we are all infinitely richer for having known him and been a part of his life on this Earth.
Bobby was born in Rome, Ga., on Sept. 16, 1946, to Ruby Lee and Eugene Sinclair Johnston, and was the youngest of five children. Life wasn’t always easy back then, and he left school early to work to support his family. He performed odd jobs around the local area doing everything from cleaning in a chicken farm to picking cotton to help make ends meet.
At the age of 18, he made a major change and enlisted in the U.S. Army. He served one tour in Vietnam and was twice awarded the Purple Heart for injuries sustained in the war. Following his second wound, he was reassigned to Fort Riley, Kan.
As luck would have it, in 1968, after a night on the town, he stopped in a late night diner to grab some coffee to perk up a bit before going back on base. It was there that he met a young waitress named Judy. Bobby described her as “The prettiest woman I ever seen” and brazenly told her “I’m going to marry you!” True to his prediction, they were married Nov. 6, 1969. During their early years together, they lived in several states until his discharge from the service in 1971. Following this, they settled in Rathdrum, Idaho, where they resided together until his passing.
During their years in Idaho, they raised five children in a home filled with the usual fun times and trials associated with a growing family. Bobby’s greatest joy was found in his love for Judy, watching his children grow, and in having his family around him. Later days would find him at any number of grandkid’s sporting events, concerts, plays and school events. He was especially fond of home football games and watching his grandsons play under the Friday night lights.
Bobby passed away peacefully at Kootenai Health on Feb. 1, 2017, following a brief illness, surrounded by his family. He is survived by his wife of 47 years, Judy Lee (Mael) Johnston; children Gina Richards, Jo Ann Porter, Michael Johnston, Robin Miller and Candice Hunt; brother Eugene; sisters Margaret Locklear and Francis Goss; 14 grandchildren, 1 1/2 great-grandchildren; and sisters-in-law Kathy and Roiann; as well as numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents and one brother, Robert Johnston.
The family wishes to extend their heartfelt thank-you to the amazing doctors, nurses, respiratory therapists and staff at Kootenai Health for their attention and incredible devotion to Bobby and our family during this incredibly difficult time. You made the most difficult of times a bit easier to bear.
Per Bobby’s wishes, no funeral will be held, however a memorial service will be held from 3-6 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 4, 2017, at the Rathdrum Lions Club for all family and friends to meet and remember.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Bobby Johnston, please visit our flower store.
Guestbook
Visits: 21
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the
Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Service map data © OpenStreetMap contributors
