Leslie Johnston Obituary (1928

Dr. Leslie Newkirk Johnston, Jr., passed away peacefully at home on November 4, 2015. Born on October 9, 1928, he was the son of the late Leslie Newkirk Johnston, Sr. and Lottie Kathleen Kerr Johnston of Wilmington, North Carolina. One of seven children, he was preceded in death by his siblings, Joe George Johnston, Kathleen Johnston Cottle, Carolina Johnston Burris, Ann Johnston Bell, Judith Johnston Carter, and Thomas Payne Johnston. He loved his roll as 'Uncle Budgy' to his North Carolina nieces and nephews and their families. He was married on December 22, 1951, at the First Baptist Church in Tulsa, Oklahoma, to his wife of 63 years, Ada Sue (Ruff). They have a daughter, Pamela Sue Johnston of the home, and a son, Dr. Timothy Lynn Johnston of Cullowhee, North Carolina. Leslie loved and was especially proud of his grandchildren, Nicholas Johnston and Samantha Johnston of Ormond Beach, Florida, and also the proud uncle of Dr. Rick Irvin and his wife, Becky, Dan Irvin and his wife, Darlene, and Debbie Stone and her husband, Thomas. A graduate of New Hanover High School in Wilmington, he attended Wilmington College (now UNCW), North Carolina State College (now UNCW), and received a degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Leslie served proudly in the United States Air Force, and was stationed in Hawaii. Following his military service, he was accepted into the School of Veterinary Medicine at Oklahoma A&M College (now OSU). He was awarded his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree 1956. With Ada Sue's help, Leslie established a Veterinary practice in Tulsa, where he actively practiced for over 50 years. While he enjoyed both large and small animals, he limited his practice for most of his career to small animals. Underneath his tough countenance, Leslie was a plain spoken, common sensical man of many talents. He possessed a quiet sense of humor, a kind heart, a positive spirit, and a creative mind. Being well read, informed and conversant on multiple subjects, if you disagreed with him, you best be prepared as he was a worthy adversary. He sought and found happiness in every opportunity. His interests were many and diverse. Leslie never lost his appetite for knowledge. Often, his interests turned to passion. He was a published author of several papers on Hemochromatosis, of which he was diagnosed over 40 years ago. When he was unable to find a satisfactory amount of information relative to this diagnosis and treatment, Leslie made it part of his life's work to study, research and spread awareness of this serious health condition. His mission to spread awareness of Hemochromatosis was nothing short of heartfelt. Throughout his life, Leslie enjoyed the outdoors. Whether it was bird hunting or fishing in Oklahoma, leading a Boy Scout troop, exercising his license to fly his own plane or riding his motorcycle, his heart was his compass and he simply enjoyed the bounties of this world. With his quick wit and luck on his side, he was always up for a chance to play a few games of nickel poker with his contemporaries. Leslie maintained a tremendous sense of pride in and love for his Eastern North Carolina roots. He never missed an opportunity to share his enthusiasm for deep sea fishing in the Atlantic, and especially enjoyed sitting down to a well prepared meal featuring his catch -- always served with grits. He delighted in sharing fond memories of hospitality and oyster roasts in North Carolina, and never turned down an opportunity to indulge in boiled peanuts while there. Leslie was a member of First Baptist Church for over 60 years. He considered the members of the Agape Sunday School Class as some of his closest friends. He was a past member of the American Veterinary Medical Association, Oklahoma Veterinary Medical Association and the Northeast Oklahoma Veterinary Group. Leslie appreciated his membership in The Rusty Kettle, a Facebook group addressing the many topics associated with Hemochromatosis. Visitation will be held on Sunday, November 8, 2015 from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. at Dillon's Legacy Chapel, 1200 North Cleveland in Sand Springs. Family burial will take place at 9:30 a.m. on Monday, November 9, 2015, at Memorial Park Cemetery. A Memorial Service is scheduled for 11:00 a.m. in the Cincinnati Room at First Baptist Church, 403 South Cincinnati Avenue, Tulsa, Oklahoma 74103. The family asks those wishing to give a memorial gift, please consider a donation in Leslie's memory to the Agape Sunday School Class to further local mission outreach efforts. (First Baptist Church, 403 South Cincinnati Avenue, Tulsa, Oklahoma 74103)