Jimmie W. Johnston

Jimmie W. Johnston, 81, of Altus, OK passed away Thursday, June 16, 2011 at Plantation Village Nursing Home. Funeral services will be 10:30 a.m. Monday, June 20, 2011 at the First United Methodist Church with Rev. David Player and Rev. Erin Martinez officiating. Burial with Masonic Rites will follow at the Altus City Cemetery under the direction of Kincannon Funeral Home. Jimmie W. Johnston was born December 2, 1929 to Ernest Loyd and Essie Deloris (Olds) Johnston in Vici, Oklahoma. Jimmie graduated from Vici High School in 1947. He attended Oklahoma A&M College prior to entering the United States Air Force in December of 1950 and retired after 26 1/2 years of active duty. He married Carolyn Sproll, the love of his life, May 25, 1952 in Wellington, Illinois. To this union three sons were born; Mark, Marlon and Clark. The Johnstons were married 59 years. During his military service he worked as a medical tech; a welder and later became a crew chief on the B-52 and KC-135. He was an instructor in aircraft mechanics and later became a flight engineer on the C-141, ending his Air Force career as an instructor, retiring in July of 1977. After Jimmie retired he drove a school bus for the Stillwater Public Schools before returning to the Air Force in Civil Service. He served as an instructor in Flight Engineer Training for another 161/2 years before retiring in January of 1998. Following Jimmie’s second retirement he drove a school bus for the Altus Public Schools for four years He received the Air Force Commendation Medal and the Meritorious Service Medal. Jimmie was a member of the First United Methodist Church and the Masonic Lodge. He enjoyed traveling and RVing. Jimmie was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, Milo Johnston and Ernest Johnston; an infant son, Mark; and an infant granddaughter, Amber. He is survived by his wife, Carolyn, of the home; two sons, Marlon W. Johnston and Clark D. Johnston; two sisters, Deletha Thomas of Tipton, IN, Deloris Hedges of Vici, OK; two brothers, Dale Johnston of Woodward, OK and Melvin Johnston of Fargo, OK; five grandchildren and seven great grandchildren. Memorial contributions may be made to the JCMH Hospice @ 580-379-6900 or the First United Methodist Church Fund @ 580-482-0795.