Rev. Lonnie B. Johnston

Posted

CHEYENNE – Rev. Lonnie B. Johnston, 89, of Cheyenne, died on Nov. 21, 2020, in Cheyenne. He was born on Feb. 28, 1931, in Itta Bena, Mississippi.

Rev. Johnston was called to ministry at age 16. He graduated Millsaps College with a BA in Sociology and received a Master of Theology degree at Iliff School of Theology in 1958. Lonnie served several churches in Mississippi until 1965. He then transferred to the Rocky Mountain Conference (now the Mountain Sky Conference) of the United Methodist Church. Rev. Johnston served churches in Arvada, Colorado, Torrington and Cheyenne.

He also served as District Superintendent of the Grand Junction District, and as Assistant to the Bishop in Denver, Colorado. In every town where Lonnie served a church, he was involved in community programs and ministerial associations. After retiring in 1993, Rev. Johnston enjoyed traveling with his wife, Pat, writing, and teaching classes at First UMC Cheyenne.

He is survived by his wife, Pat Johnston; his sister, Ann Brantley of Florence, Mississippi; his daughters, Joy Peacock (Bob) of Vacaville, California, and Lonna Courtney (Shawn) of Cheyenne; grandsons Patrick (Rachel) Courtney; Brian (Shannon) Peacock; Evan (Brendan Ward) Courtney, and Ross (Corie) Peacock; great-grandchildren, Addison and Matthew Peacock; Mabel Peacock; Layla, Keith, Simon and Zavier Courtney. Rev. Johnston was preceded in death by his parents, Herman and Myrtle Johnston, his brother, Herman Johnston and great-grandson, Jack Courtney.

Services will be held at First United Methodist Church in Cheyenne on June 21st at 2 p.m. In lieu of flowers please contribute to The First United Methodist Church or Davis Hospice.

He is interred at Cheyenne Memorial Gardens, 4701 Christenson Road in Cheyenne.