JOHNSTON
John Rader Johnston, 83, left his beloved family and farming life on Friday, April 29th. He was born in Ronceverte, WV, to KC and Ellen Rader Johnston on August 31, 1938.
Survivors include his loving wife, Dreama Deitz Johnston; daughter, Vickey J Neel (Perk) of Frankford; and son, Don E (Ticie) of Renick; grandchildren, Devin (Missie and Dalton) of Linn, WV, Jennifer Ervin (Tony and Josi, Hailey and Peyton) and Brianne Williams (Lance McClintic and Aena, Forest and granddaughter due in May) of Lewisburg, WV; brother, Charles E (Carole and Jacoba Wasik and Kelly Matthews) of Charlottesville, VA; and nephews of his deceased sister, Betty, Wayne Thompson (Karolyn) of Cary, NC and Michael Johnston of Surprise, AZ; along with numerous in-laws, nieces, and nephews.
John graduated from Lewisburg High School and was left with the task of providing for his family at a very early age due to the death of his grandparents and father. To say he came up on a life of hard knocks is an understatement, but he never complained about it. He was honest beyond fault and offended many because of it. His tolerance to pain was indescribable. He left here knowing more about livestock than most will ever know. His passion was livestock and children. He has helped many 4-Hers and FFA members over the years, and all of it was mostly behind the scenes.
He showed sheep and cattle all over the US and won many awards and accomplishments. The dearest to him was receiving his American Farmer Degree, thanks to the help of Alvin Porterfield, and having received 60 years of recognition from the American Hampshire Sheep Association. He was a member of the Hampshire and Suffolk Sheep Assns, and the Angus, Limousin, Maine-Anjou and Chianina (one of the first to be imported to the US) Assns.
Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m., Thursday, May 5, 2022, at McCraw Funeral Home, Lewisburg, WV. A family burial will take place at 1 p.m. on Friday, May 6, on Fort Donnally Farm.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that you extend a helping hand to a local 4-Her or FFA youth.
McCraw Funeral Home of Lewisburg is in charge of the arrangements.
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