The Obituary

Graham Allen Johnston passed away Friday, July 15, 2016 at Kindred Hospital, Dallas Central at the age of 37.  Graham was born October 16, 1978 in Nacogdoches, TX. He was born with cystic fibrosis and he never let his disease define him.  As a child, Graham was active in all sports, but fell in love with soccer and golf and attributed these sports to his many healthy years.  He later went off to Kilgore Jr. College and then graduated from Texas State University (SWT) in 2002.  It was in these college years that he met and fell in love with his wife, Erin.  Never underestimate the power of a good band at a hole-in-the-wall place in Austin, TX; these two didn’t, and they were inseparable ever since.  They married November 10, 2007 in Las Vegas and their daughter was born the next year.  He was the recipient of a double lung transplant on August 24, 2010 that gave him a new lease on life and finally, a breath of fresh air.  Graham worked in finance and finally ended up in his dream job as a credit underwriter at Exeter Finance and later Nissan Motor Acceptance Corporation.  His personality was larger than life and his humor and attitude were highly infectious.  He never took a single moment for granted, making experiences and memories daily.  Graham is survived by his wife Erin B. Johnston and daughter Jordan K. Johnston of Grand Prairie, TX; father, Richard A. Johnston of Longview, TX; mother, Barbara J. Rehm of Mansfield, TX; brothers, Luke Johnston and Brent Johnston of Longview, TX; grandmother, Zelda Johnston of Longview, TX; along with many aunts, uncles, cousins, in-laws, nieces and nephews who all loved him very much.  Visitation will be held Friday, July 22, 2016 from 6:00 – 8:00pm at Blessings Funeral Home in Mansfield, TX.  The memorial service will be held Saturday, July 23, 2016 at 1:00pm at First United Methodist Church in Mansfield, TX followed by a graveside celebration of life at Emerald Hills Memorial Park in Kennedale, TX.  In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the ROCK CF FOUNDATION 2990 W. Grand Blvd. STE M-21 Detroit, MI  48202 https://rockcf.giv.sh/  The family wishes to extend a special thank you to the staff of Baylor University Medical Center and Kindred Hospital, Dallas Central for their outstanding professional and personal care that Graham received.