Dr. Kenneth Henry Johnston

Dr. Kenneth Henry Johnston
Dr. Kenneth Henry Johnston

Dr. Kenneth Henry Johnston, of Amarillo, TX passed away with his family by his side at the age of 86 on June 19, 2020.

Services will be at 2:00 P.M., Tuesday, June 23, 2020, at Hillside Christian Church, with Greg Corona officiating. Burial will be private at Llano Cemetery. Arrangements are by Boxwell Brothers Funeral Directors, Amarillo.

He was born on September 3, 1933 in Borger, Texas to Henry L. and Mildred Johnston. Following the death of his father he, along with his mother and younger brother, moved to Amarillo in 1936. He attended Amarillo Public Schools graduating from Amarillo High School in 1952.

He graduated from Amarillo College in 1954. He received his Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Texas, Austin, in 1956. He earned his medical degree from the University of Texas, Southwestern Medical School, in Dallas, Texas, in 1959. He completed his internship at Baylor University Medical Center in Dallas from 1959-1960. He was on active duty status with the United States Naval Reserve from 1960-1962. He completed his residency training in orthopaedic surgery at the University of Oklahoma Hospital, Oklahoma City, from 1962-1966. He then went into private practice in orthopaedic medicine in Oklahoma City from 1966-1968. He moved to Amarillo in 1968 and opened his private practice in orthopaedic surgery. Dr. Johnston served as Chief of Orthopaedic Surgery at Olin Teague Veteran’s Medical Center in Temple, Texas from 1983-1984. He also served on the faculty of Texas Tech Health Science Center from 1984-1985. He returned to private practice in 1985 and continued in this capacity until 1993. He received his Master of Business Administration in Health Care Administration from Wayland Baptist University, Plainview, Texas, in 1993, and subsequently assumed the role and duties of Vice President of Medical Affairs at High Plains Baptist Hospital (currently BSA). He continued in this capacity until 2009, at which time he began semi-retirement. From 2009- 2012, he assumed the role of substitute teacher for the Amarillo Independent School District, teaching at all levels of education. Until his death, Dr. Johnston served as the Chief Medical Officer for the Military Entrance Processing Station in Amarillo, Texas, conducting physical examinations for male and female inductees entering the United State military forces.

Honorary and appointed volunteer service included serving as President of the Medical Staff of High Plains Baptist Hospital in 1974. Dr. Johnston also served as President of the Potter-Randall County Medical Society in 1987.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Henry and Mildred and his stepfather, Burl Callaway; his brothers, William  Johnston  and  Robert  Callaway;  and grandchildren, Chad  Bledsoe  and  Erin O’Grady.

He is survived by his loving wife of 45 years, Gerrie; his children, Sherilyn (Delbert) New of Amarillo, Julie (Dolan) Murphy of Tyler, Jason (Dana) Johnston of Lubbock and Lara Heil of Amarillo; 9 grandchildren; 7 great-grandchildren; his sister, Rebecca (Walt) Peters of Hagerstown, Maryland; and his sister-in-law, Linda Johnston of Savannah, Georgia.

To those who knew him, he was kind, generous, slow to anger and quick to forgive, never had an unkind word to say to or about anyone and he loved the Lord. He will be greatly missed by everyone who knew and loved him. He will forever be in our hearts.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in his honor to the American Heart Association, American Cancer Society.

20 Replies to “Dr. Kenneth Henry Johnston”

  1. Dr Johnston, was one of the kindest doctors I ever worked for, my heart & prayers go out to his family.

  2. Dr. Johnston was our first Ortho of many throughout the years of my family & myself racing motorcycles.

    I was fortunate to see Dr. Johnston a few months ago @ MEPS while on a project there. It had been y-e-a-r-s since I’d seen him.

    As always, the man had such an incredibly kind soul.

    God’s speed kind sir.

  3. I am sorry to hear about your wonderful husband. May God comfort you at this difficult time. Praying for your family. Louise (O’Brian) Hardin and Karen Woodruff

  4. Dr. Johnson was a consummate professional and a joy to serve on committees with at TTUHSC. He will be greatly missed.

  5. Ken was a wonderful brother in law and a treasured big brother to my husband, Bill. He will be missed!

  6. Dr Johnston was a great man and Orthopedic surgeon, he was always so even tempered, never heard an angry word from him. He will be greatly missed by his loving wife and family as well as all his friends and acquaintances. He is at peace walking with our Lord and Saviour on the Golden Streets of Heaven. My sincere condolences to all his family. Tinker

  7. Words do not describe the loss of Kenneth Johnston. My association with him, Gerrie, Jason and Lara became more of a family. Kenneth was a consummate professional, gentleman, advisor, friend, mentor and became like a big brother. His passion encompassed a love for life, family, friends, colleagues, Texas Panhandle and all things inclusive. I never heard an unkind word from Kenneth and he always encouraged and cared for others. With an unmatched wit and humor only equaled by his wisdom and brilliance. He will be gravely missed.
    With respect and admiration.

  8. Kenneth was my oldest nephew. I remember especially his gentle and kind manner in all situations. He cared tenderly and lovingly for his patients, he loved his family, and he loved God. He has suffered much physically in these later years but now he has a new body and is rejoicing along with the angels in the land where we will never grow old. My sympathy is with Gerri and their family in this temporary loss. But ere long those of us who are “in Christ” will join him above. With my love, Uncle Dub

  9. I know the Amarillo community, both the medical and at-large communities, have benefited from and will miss Dr. Johnston. I am grateful for his friendship and for the opportunity to work with him as a colleague, and I regret that I did not see him before I moved from Amarillo. My thoughts are with his friends and family at this time.

  10. Dr. Johnston was an amazing man and dr. He saved my daughters life after a horrible accident. Saved all of us in the process. Godly man. Loved him. Such a loss.

  11. I will never forget Dr. Johnston. He was my Mom’s orthopedic doctor for her hip surgeries. When he had done all he could do for her, he recommended her to a doctor in Dallas. I will never forget the morning she had surgery in Dallas. I looked up and saw him and he had flown to Dallas for her surgery. We loved Dr. Johnston and we send our deepest sympathy, thoughts, and prayers to his family.
    May the peace, comfort and presence of our Lord fill your hearts at this time. Sally and LaVerne Miller

  12. I have worked with (KJ) as we all loved him dearly. He was the most supportive physician I ever worked with. I was proud to have worked with him. Mike and I feel so honored to have known him and his family. Mike and Bonnie Enos

  13. I met Dr. Johnston while coaching at Amarillo High. He was a most sincere, upstanding and honorable man with a servant’s heart. May God give you comfort during this difficult time.
    Don E. Williams

  14. Loved working in surgery with him. He was a great teacher and never got mad or said anything mean. He will be missed by all. Great physician and person.

  15. My “Uncle” Kenneth was such a dear sole. Although we are cousins, he was always an “uncle” to me. He always had a smile and that laugh under his breath that always made me smile. I hope the memories of the great times help ease the pain for the family. I pray for Gerrie, as I know how deeply he loved her. May God watch over you and give you strength. I know Kenneth was receive with open arms by Mom (Willie) and Dad (Dallas) upon entry at the Golden Gates. Love you, Jana Lynn Callaway Coyle

  16. Lara,
    Praying for you and your family during this time. Sounds like your dad was an amazing man. So sorry for your loss.
    Love,
    Kerry Morgan

  17. Wendell and I are so sorry to hear about the loss of your precious Kenneth. We pray that God will wrap His loving arms around you and your family and comfort you during this time and days ahead. Love and prayers.
    Wendell & Elnita

  18. God bless you, Gerri and family. May God wrap you in his comforting arms. Love and prayers. Buddy and Beverly Logsdon

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