Joseph Ray "Sonny" Johnston, Jr.

Joseph Ray "Sonny" Johnston, Jr., 83, of Parsons, passed away at 8:04 a.m., Saturday, March 10, 2018 at the Good Samaritan Society in Parsons.

He was born September 16, 1934 on the family farm south of Parsons to Joseph Ray Johnston, Sr. and Anna Marie "Babe" (Hoefling) Johnston. As a young boy, he attended Caldwell School and in 1952 graduated from Labette County Community High School in Altamont.

After high school, he worked with his father farming, custom combining in the summer, and hauling hay during the winter months. From 1977-1992, he worked at Bush Hog in Galesburg, Kansas and Selma, Alabama. He then worked as a truck driver at Burlington Truck Line before driving a dump truck for Individual Mausoleum. Most recently, he worked as a delivery person for Wal-Mart Pharmacy.

He was a member of St. Patrick's Catholic Church and a 3 ^rd degree member of the Knights of Columbus. He enjoyed spending time with his family and friends, traveling, going to eat chicken, truck driving, and in earlier years working his custom combine route. He never met a stranger, greeted everyone with a smile, and enjoyed life.

He and Barbara Ann Templeton were married April 27, 1957 at St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Parsons. She preceded him in death on May 6, 1997.

Survivors include:

Four Sons – Mark Johnston and his wife, Janet, of Oswego, KS

David Johnston and his wife, Lisa, of Parsons, KS

Brian Johnston and his wife, Brenda, of Parsons, KS

Kelly Johnston and his wife, Kim, of Parsons, KS

Three Daughters – Karen Cripe and her husband, Randy, of Oelwein, IA

Jane Alexander and her husband, Don, of Parsons, KS

Dianna Alvidres and her husband, Hector, of McKinney, TX

Fourteen Grandchildren

Nine Great-Grandchildren

One Sister – Patricia Wilkerson and her husband, Neal, of Parsons, KS

In addition to his wife, he was preceded in death by one brother, James Bernard Johnston; and great-grandson, Ridgeway Blackburn.

Funeral Mass will be at 10:00 a.m., Wednesday, March 14, 2018 at St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Parsons. Burial will be in Mt. Olivet Cemetery in Parsons. The rosary will be prayed at 7:00 p.m., Tuesday, at the Forbes-Hoffman Funeral Home in Parsons. The family will receive friends at 7:30 p.m., Tuesday, at the funeral home immediately following the rosary

Memorials are suggested to St. Patrick's Catholic Church or the Good Samaritan Activity Fund. These may be left at or mailed to Forbes-Hoffman Funeral Home, P.O. Box 374, Parsons, KS 67357.

Online condolences may be left at www.forbeshoffman.com.