Howard Ernest Johnston, 88, of Holden Missouri, formerly of Odessa, MO, passed away on Wednesday, August 11, 2021, at his home.
A visitation will be held from 10:00 am to 11:00 am on Wednesday, August 18, 2021, at Ralph O. Jones Funeral Home, 306 S. 2nd Street, Odessa, MO, 64076, 816-633-5524. A funeral service will be held at 11:00 am, at the funeral home. The family is requesting masks to be worn. Interment will follow at the Sni-Mills Cemetery in, 38308 E. Colbern Rd., Lone Jack, MO 64070. Memorials are suggested to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital and may be left in care of the funeral home. Memories of Howard and condolences for his family may be left at
www.LedfordFamilyFH.com or on our Facebook Page.
Howard was born on August 3, 1933, to Mr. Luther H. and Mrs. Ora Mae (Cline) Johnston in Lone Jack, MO. He enlisted in the United States Navy on August 20, 1951, in Kansas City, MO, serving until honorably discharged on August 16, 1955, in San Diego, CA. Howard served in the Korean War on the USS McDermut. During his time served he earned the National Defense Service Medal, United Nations Medal, Korean Medal, and (1) Star China Service. On March 18, 1961, Howard was united in marriage to Helen Jeanne (Hain) in Miami, OK. He worked as certified farrier, lineman, carpenter and for Target Manufacturing in Kansas City MO, retiring in 1995. Howard was a member of the Local Carpenters Union #1329 of Kansas City MO from 1965 to 1985. In addition to spending time with family and friends he enjoyed farming, fishing, horses, and exotic animals.
Howard is survived by a son Calvin Johnston (Ellen) of Lenexa, KS.; a daughter Tammy Bray (Andy) of Odessa, MO., and a daughter Debra Cutting of WA.; five grandchildren, Taylor Hall (Parker), Janelle Koehn (Brett), Ty Johnston (Laci), Tiara Williams (Bobby), and Marie Callaway; eight great-grandchildren, Colten and Trever Johnston, Chase, Hunter and Mya Williams, and Sarah, James and Preston Shelton.
In addition to his parents and wife, Howard is preceded in death by a brother J.C. Johnston and a sister Dora Mae Henderson.