John Preston Johnson

John Preston Johnson entered his heavenly home on February 22, 2024, just a couple months prior to his 98^th birthday.  He was born April 30, 1926 in Kirvin, Texas to George Elmer and Fannie May (Furlow) Johnson.

Preston entered the US Army in 1944 where he served in the 101^st Airborne Division (Screaming Eagles) as a paratrooper.  He trained at Fort Benning, Georgia, spent most of his time in the Philippines and was honorably discharged in 1946.  Preston married Frances Shields on August 25, 1947.  

After being discharged from the Army, he had various jobs and eventually took a job at Dick Scott Ford in Mexia where he worked as a mechanic for 35 years.  His retirement was short lived as he opened a shop at his home in Tehuacana and continued to work on cars for another 10 years.

Preston was a member of the First Baptist Church in Tehuacana where he served as a deacon and often served as their handyman, fixing anything that needed to be fixed.   He was active in Tehuacana Volunteer Fire Department.  Anytime they had a fundraiser, he played a key role in getting it organized.  When there was a fire during the week, and the younger fireman were working, Preston, along with his wife, Frances, would load up in a firetruck and respond to the fire.  Frances drove the truck while Preston rode on the back spraying water.

Preston loved hunting, fishing, music, and playing the guitar.  For years, he played “bluegrass” music in the garage at his home.  As time passed and the crowd grew, they moved the bluegrass singings to the First Baptist Church in Tehuacana.  Preston loved setting everything up and making sure all the mics and speakers were just right.  As he aged, he loved traveling with the love of his life, Frances, and friends to bluegrass festivals across Texas.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife of 70 years, Frances; an infant son, Charles Elmer; his brothers, George and Raymond; and sisters, Hazel and Betty.

Preston is survived by his son, Richard and wife, Janis of Tehuacana; daughters, Janet Bulger and husband, Kenny of Fairfield and Karen Tanner and husband, Ronnie of Donie; sisters-in-law, Vera Johnson of Irving and Brenda Shields of Fairfield; brother-in-law, Johnny Shields and wife, Pat of Lake Mexia; grandchildren, Shelly Pfleeger and James, Kenneth Bulger and Donna, Jamie Gragg and Michael, Stephanie Meyers and Randy, Ronnie J. Tanner and Caitlin, Kayla Andrean and Lucas, and Bryan Tanner and Natya; 15 great grandchildren; and three great-great granddaughters with a great-great grandson on the way.

Funeral services will be 3:00 p.m., Saturday, February 24, 2024 at Blair-Stubbs Funeral Home with Reverend Michael Vestal officiating.  Visitation with the family will be prior to the service beginning at 2:00 p.m.  Interment will follow, with Military Honors, in the Tehuacana Cemetery.  Kenneth Bulger, Ronnie J. Tanner, Bryan Tanner, Randy Meyers, Michael Gragg, and James Pfleeger will serve as pallbearers.