Dr. Heber Sidway (Buddy) Johnston Jr.'s Obituary
Dr. H.S. Johnston, Jr., 75 died at his home in Cordova, TN on January 22, 2025.
Buddy was born in Memphis, Tennessee on December 29, 1949 to Heber and Willie May Johnston. He graduated from White Station High School in 1968 then attended Memphis State University and received his Bachelor of Arts at University of Tennessee, Knoxville; and went on to get his Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine from the University of Auburn. He met his wife Susan at Memphis State University, and they married on November 26, 1970 and had their one daughter Catherine Fanelle Johnston (Katie).
In addition to being a devoted husband, father, and friend, Buddy was a long-time member of the choir at Kingsway Christian Church, a private pilot, flight instructor, model train enthusiast, cat-lover, bird-watcher, skilled craftsman, pianist, photographer, lover of the French language and culture, and an avid traveler. He enjoyed organizing regular Friday-night dinners with his long-time friends and enjoyed planning international adventures with his wife and best friend, Susan—including riding camels in Egypt, exploring the archeological site of Petra in the country of Jordan, and witnessing the ritual of the Whirling Dervishes in Istanbul, Turkey. He will be remembered for his practicality and reliability, his sense of humor and deep laugh, and his dependable, hardworking, and steadfast nature.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Heber and Willie May Johnston; his father-in-law and mother-in-law, Harry and Nadine Rice; his aunts, Catherine and Fanelle Maddux; his granddaughter, Caroline Pensak; and his brother-in-law, Dr. William Miesse. He is survived by his wife of 55 years, Susan; their daughter, Katie Johnston; three granddaughters Nadine, Lucie, and Maelle; sister, Mary Miesse; brother-in-law, David Rice and his wife Judy; dear friends, Joe Patterson and his wife Carrie; and many beloved friends, family, and nieces and nephews.
Visitation will be held at 1pm with Graveside services following at 2 pm at Memorial Park Funeral Home and Cemetery. Memorials may be sent to The International Crane Foundation or Kingsway Christian Church.
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