Roll Call Tribute

Jerone Wheeler Johnston
June 29, 1932 - August 13, 2022

Jerone Wheeler Johnston, 90, Corpus Christi, passed away on Saturday, August 13, 2022. Born June 29, 1932 in Oklahoma City to Joseph Wheeler and Valma Mary (Anderson) Johnston. Jerry spent most of his early years in Carlsbad, New Mexico and San Antonio, Texas. He graduated from San Antonio Jefferson High School in 1950 where he was a member of ROTC. Jerry then went on to join the Corp of Cadets at Texas A&M University earning his bachelor’s degree in Agricultural Economics. He also ran track for the University on the cross country team.

On a blind date in the summer of 1952, Jerry met the love of his life, Patricia Burns, who was visiting relatives in San Antonio. He loved to tell everyone how he wanted to do a backflip the moment he first saw her. They dated all summer until she returned to Toledo, Ohio for her high school senior year. He was so smitten that he immediately mailed her an engagement ring and soon after she graduated, they were married on June 20, 1953 at First Baptist Church in San Antonio.

While still newlyweds, Jerry enlisted in the US Army Infantry during the Korean War, serving as Private-2. However, while stationed at West Point NY, he suffered an injury that led to an honorable discharge and he and Pat returned to A & M to complete his degree. They loved living in married student housing and made life-long friends.

Jerry never met a stranger and loved to entertain. He would sing and play guitar every chance he got to tunes from Hank Williams, Marty Robbins, Conway Twitty, and Buck Owens. Jerry was an outside salesman for most of his career, selling pharmaceuticals (Plough/Sharon) cosmetics (Neutrogena and Coppertone), Hardware (Curtis Industries). This frequently had him traveling a great deal when the children were young, but he would take the family along as much as possible. They also moved often, living in Corpus Christi, Spring, and Seguin. They finally moved back to Corpus Christi in 1989 to watch Amy grow up while living in the “happy place”.

He was avid hunter and fisherman and enjoyed being on the water. Jerry took up golf later in life and enjoyed time with his friends and eventually donated his time to serving as a marshall at Oso Golf Course in Corpus Christi. His last career before retiring was as a security guard at several local plants in Corpus Christi.

Jerry is preceded by his parents, infant son, James Wheeler Johnston, brother, Richard Johnston.

He is survived by Patricia, his loving wife of 69 years; children, Scott Johnston and wife, Kristie (Georgetown, TX); daughter, Amy Curry and husband Joe (Corpus Christi, TX ); grandchildren, Kristopher Johnston and wife, Helen (Georgetown, TX), Erika Greer and husband Ty (Georgetown, TX); Tony Johnston (Georgetown, TX), Cole Curry and Harlow Curry (Corpus Christi, TX); great grandchildren, Kenna, Peyton, and Liam; sister-in-law, Carol Johnston (San Marcos, TX).

A Graveside Service with Military Honors will be held for Jerone at Ft. Sam Houston National Cemetery in San Antonio, TX on Friday, September 2, 2022 at 11:30 am. In lieu of flowers, Jerone’s family would welcome a donation in his name to Texas A&M University Memorial Giving: http://tx.ag/JeronJohnston.