Lt. Col. James Roger Johnston, 43, went home to Jesus on Aug. 22, 2020, while serving in the U.S. Army overseas on assignment to NATO.

James was born on June 24, 1977, in Albuquerque, New Mexico. After graduating in 1995 with honors from Judson High School in Converse, Texas, he attended Texas Tech University, where he found his passions in life: his future wife, Lori McMillan, and service to the U.S. Army. Upon graduation and completion of the Tech ROTC program, he received his commission as a second lieutenant on Dec. 18, 2000. Lori and James married on Dec. 22, 2000, at First Baptist Church in Plainview, Texas, and they went on to have two daughters, Rileigh Faith (15 yrs) and Madeline Grace (13 yrs).

James’ first assignment was Fort Lewis in Washington state, where decades earlier his grandfather had gone for basic training before serving in World War II, a connection that they both would treasure. James was proud to have served five tours of duty in Iraq (2), Afghanistan, Haiti, and Kuwait, and served as an instructor at the Desert War College at Fort Irwin, California. He also served with the 82nd Airborne at Fort Bragg, 8th Transportation Brigade at Fort Eustis, held a company command at Fort Story within the 11th Transportation Battalion, and 1st TSC at Fort. Knox. His last posting was his dream position: an assignment to NATO starting with the NATO Defense College in Rome, Italy, where he was thrilled to bring his family on what he called an “adventure of a lifetime.”

While on deployment to Haiti in March of 2010 following the devastating earthquakes that rocked the island nation, James and his team were responsible for the portable docks that were placed off shore and the logistics of getting the supplies where they needed to be. It was in this position that Captain James Johnston first encountered Samaritan’s Purse. He was approached with a request to help, and he and his team jumped in to assist with moving 400 pallets of bottled water, a year’s supply of clean drinkable water for the organization. This led to him personally supporting Samaritan's Purse through donations and Operation Christmas Child.

In addition to being a dedicated and loving family man, James also loved riding his Harley, traveling, cooking, and stargazing. Throughout his life, he held an ever-strengthening faith in God, which he shared with those who surrounded him.

James joins his biological mother, Beth Saturn Johnston, and his grandparents in heaven. He is survived by his wife, Lori McMillan Johnston; children Rileigh Faith and Madeline Grace; his parents Janet Sauber & Maj. Jerome Sauber, DVM (Ret.); his sisters and their families: Heather Sauber, Cmdr. Erin Sauber-Schatz, PhD & Richard Schatz; Laura & Michael Francis; Elaine Saturn Keys & Eric Keys; brother Keith Saturn; his parents-in-law Susan & Tommy McMillan; brother-in-law and his family Kelsey & Chance McMillan and nephews and nieces: Sydney, Grayson, Bruce, Cameron, Christian, Clara, Lane, and Connor.

There will be a funeral service held at 3:00 p.m. on Sept. 19, 2020, at First Baptist Church (Kornerstone Funeral Home) in Plainview, Texas, and streaming services will also be available.

“You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.” Jeremiah 29:13, NIV

*All obituaries are submitted by family and friends of the deceased.

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