Junior Henry Johnstone, son of Lucy and James Johnstone, was born November 14, 1939, in Moundville, Missouri, and went to live forever with Jesus on March 17, 2023, at the age of 83 years, 4 months and 3 days.
At the age of 16, Junior began a remarkable 50 year career of road construction and building bridges throughout Missouri, Arkansas, and Kansas. Junior had a steady hand as he maneuvered the boom with steel beams, concrete buckets, and driving pilings on his favorite Link-Belt cranes. During his lengthy career, he never had an accident, turned over a crane, or as Junior recently stated, “I never smashed anybody’s finger.” Junior’s grandest project was the Branson High Road. When this project was completed, he hung up his hard hat after working for O.L. Koch, West Plains Bridge Company, Huffman Bridge Company, and Burke Bridge Company. Junior was a proud member of the Operating Engineers Local 101.
In the early 1960’s, Junior purchased his first farm. He enjoyed being on his land, raising cattle, fixing fence, and working in the hayfield. Junior mostly raised Angus, Hereford, and even purchased a herd of Santa Gertrudis cattle. The Santa Gertrudis cattle were shipped off to the sale barn because they were a bit too high strung for his liking. Junior did not like the way they’d put their head down and shake those floppy ears. Weekends and summers were spent on the farm with family and many fond memories were made in the hayfield, feeding square bales, and graining the steers.
In 1965 and 1970, Junior welcomed 2 daughters, Candy and Ginger. His two girls were his pride and joy. His girls often waited in the driveway on Friday evening waiting for their Daddy to come home after a long week of bridge building. He always brought home a candy bar and soda pop and laughed as he scooped up his girls with big hugs. Junior made sure his girls were raised well. He taught them the importance of hard work, kindness and standing up for themselves. Junior often had short, simple words of wisdom for his girls. Some of the most important words were: “Don’t get too far from the kitchen”, “You’re gonna have to toughen up, Sis”, “Be careful”, “Don’t get in over your head”, and “Love you.”
In the late 1970’s, Junior attended Peace Valley Church and accepted Christ as his Savior. He enjoyed hearing John Williams preach and was very encouraging during his early days of ministry. Junior was also instrumental in establishing and building Victory Hill Church.
In 1991, Junior bought his second farm and met his sweetheart, Joan McCrite. They enjoyed trips to Wal-Mart, eating at local restaurants, gardening, sitting on the front porch and spending time with family. They even donned some Thanksgiving turkey hats just for fun while celebrating their November birthdays.
Junior welcomed his grandson, Jamison, in September of 2000. He enjoyed spoiling him with Carhartt overalls, a toy chain saw, a little four-wheeler, a bow, and his first gun. Junior taught Jamison to fish and got to see him catch his first fish at Papa J.R.’s pond. As we climbed into the old farm truck with worms and fishing poles, Jamison stated, “Papa J.R. this is the junkiest truck I’ve ever seen.” Papa giggled and said, “It’s supposed to be junky. It’s a farm truck. You never know what you’re going to need when you’re farming.”
During his retirement years, Junior loved phone calls from his daughters. Solving Wheel of Fortune puzzles with Ginger was a nightly occurrence. While Candy’s phone calls were all about the State Champion Norwood Pirates. Junior also enjoyed Sunday afternoon visits from his girls and family. Watching Nascar races and seeing Dale Earnhardt, Jr. win a race was always exciting. He wasn’t a huge football fan, but watched the Kansas City Chiefs while his girls shouted at the tv.
Junior and Joan were avid gardeners. They could often be found on the front porch snapping green beans or sitting on a five gallon bucket shucking corn. Junior even tried his hand at growing watermelons. Picking watermelons and sharing them with others always made his heart happy.
Junior was very giving and encouraging. He made sure his family never went without and helped them with whatever was needed. He helped mow yards, trim trees, build flower beds, and make repairs around the farms and his family’s homes. Junior was always encouraging to family, friends, and young men in the community. Recently, a young neighbor stated, “The world needs more men like him.”
Junior is survived by his daughters, Candy Hudson, of Mansfield, Missouri, and Ginger Williams, of Nixa, Missouri, his grandson, Jamison Conner of Bolivar, Missouri, his brother, Joe Johnstone and wife, Kathy, of Mansfield, Missouri, his sister, Betty Thompson, and husband Mike, of Mansfield, Missouri, his nephews, Danny Johnstone and wife, Mandy, and children Tristan and Gentry of Mansfield, Missouri, Brandon Johnstone and wife, Danielle, and children, Eli, Levi, and Elizabeth of Ava, Missouri, his sweetheart, Joan McCrite of the home, her children, Ricky, Vicki, and Stephanie, and grandchildren Kendra, Marissa, Zoey, Zayne, Tawny, Trevor and Victoria.
