Melvin P. Johnston Obituary - Visitation & Funeral Information

Melvin "Cotton" Johnston, passed away on the evening of July 12, 2022 at the age of 95. Born on January 27, 1927 in Crosbyton to Elmer and Eula Johnston, Cotton was the fourth child of six. His family soon moved to Lubbock where he grew up on his family's farm. During his teen years, Cotton and his family moved to California. During WWII, at the age of 17, Cotton enlisted in the Navy. While in the Navy, he manned the military transport boats carrying Marines onshore at Iwo Jima. Cotton then assisted in the post-war efforts in Japan. While on leave, Cotton married Oma Allison in December 1946. Once his tour in the Navy was over, Cotton found his way into hotel management. During the early years of their marriage, he and his wife lived across Texas and the Midwest as he kept the books and later managed hotels for Hilton, Holiday Inn and various local hotels. As their two children, Garrett and Sherry, grew older, Cotton and Oma returned to Lubbock. Eventually he left the hotel business to run the school cafeteria program for Lubbock ISD. After retiring from Lubbock ISD, Cotton served as the treasurer for the Church of the Nazarene, West Texas District. Cotton will be remembered as a true servant leader. Throughout the years he spent his free time serving in the church in various capacities, but more notably he was there to lend a helping hand to those in need. Whether it was repairing an air conditioner for an elderly widow or helping a neighbor get back on their feet after a financial setback, he quietly served his community. After 70 years of marriage, his wife Oma passed in 2017, and, shortly thereafter, Cotton moved to Allen, Texas to be close to family. He is survived by his brother James Johnston of Costa Mesa, California; his son Garrett Johnston and his spouse Frank Youngblood of Oklahoma City; his three grandchildren, Wendy Johnson and spouse Joel of Allen, Texas, Steven Moon and spouse Jessica of Saratoga Springs, Utah; and Dan Watt and spouse Summer of Fort Worth, Texas; and his 11 great-grandchildren, Madeleine, Miriam, and Amanda Johnson; Kylie, James, and Hailey Moon; and Silas, Hannah, Elijah, Sarah, and Thaddeus Watt. He was preceded in death by his wife, Oma Allison Johnston, his daughter Sherry Johnston, his grandson Jason Fike, his parents Elmer A. and Eula Hazelwood Johnston, his brothers Marvin and Mahlon Johnston, and his two sisters Pearl White and Sue Perry. Visitation will be held Thursday, July 21 from 5:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. at Sanders Funeral Home. The service to celebrate and remember his life will be at 10:00 a.m. Friday, July 22, at Sanders Memorial Chapel, Pastor John Donnerberg officiating. Interment will follow immediately at the City of Lubbock Cemetery.

Melvin P. Johnston

January 27, 1927 - July 12, 2022