Obituary of Richard Joe Johnston

Richard Joe Johnston was born June 29, 1952, in Hamilton, Ohio to Joseph Burton Johnston, Jr. and Joyce Violet (Watts) Johnston Beck and passed from this life on May 10, 2024, at the age of 71.

Richard was educated in Owasso where he graduated.  He played trumpet and was instrumental in forming the Owasso Jazz Band which is still active today.  He was personal friends with Doc Severinsen and his love for music never ended.  Voted The Most Talented, he laid his musical journey aside to make a living.  He worked for the John Zink Company, and it was there he met the woman he would marry in 1978.  They were married for 46 years.  He also worked for Boeing in the areodynamic field for 28 years until retirment.  Richard was a kind, easy going man that endeared himself to any who met him.

Richard is preceded in death by his parents; his sister and brother-in-law, Donna & Frank Thomason; and his very close cousin, Stevie Gene.  He is survived by his wife of 46 years, Cynthia Diane (Surber) Johnston; his sons and daughter-in-law, Joshua & Jennifer Johnston and Jacob Johnston; his sisters, Diane Storm and her husband, Dennis and Lisa Johnson; and his grandchildren, Erika, Michael, Ryder and Kiera.

Richard will lie in state from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. Thursday, with his funeral being held at 10:00 a.m. Friday, May 17, both at the Ninde Brookside Funeral Home and Chapel.  He will be laid to rest at 12:00 p.m. Friday, at the Morris Cemetery, in Morris, OK.  In lieu of flowers donations may be made in Richard’s memory to the Alzheimer’s Foundation at www.alzfdn.org 

The family wish all who can to please attend a Dinner and Celebration at 2:00 p.m. Friday at 10920 S. Richmond Avenue, Tulsa, OK.  Stories will be told; food will be eaten, and Richard will be properly remembered and celebrated.

Ninde Brookside, 918-742-5556, www.ninde.com