JON JOHNSTON

The following bio was taken from page 262 of the book entitled "Rusk County History" compiled and edited and used with permission of the Rusk County Historical Commission.

Transcribed by Shirley Koym

Submitted by Gloria Briley Mayfield, Cemeteries of Texas

Henderson – the town south of our hometown, Longview, that we pass through in route to Nacogdoches and all points south. For fifteen years prior to 1975, we remembered Henderson for its traffic circle followed by two miles of highway, always under construction, lined on both sides with fast-food stores, truck, stops, and used car lots.

Fresh out of college, I drove to Henderson in late summer 1975, to apply for a position with the newly created Adult Probation Department of Rusk County. You can imagine my surprise when I located the downtown area of Henderson and saw older, well-kept homes, a busy business section, and a lot of friendly people.

In September 1975, I became the Director of the Adult Probation Department, and Sandy, my wife, began teaching in Carlisle, later moving to Henderson to become the homebound teacher. Our first home in Henderson was located on the Alford Estate. We rented a small house that earlier had housed the servants for the Alford family. With a pasture behind the old home, this was an ideal location for us and our two horses.

Prior to moving to Henderson, Sandy and I grew up in Longview. Sandy is the daughter of Jack and Jonell Williams, and my parents are the late Dr. R. W. Johnston and Mrs. Ruth Cook. Sandy attended Texas A&M University and Stephen F. Austin, where she graduated in 1974 with a B. S. in special education. Since our moving to Henderson, Sandy has returned to Stephen F. to earn a Master’s as a diagnostician. I attended Kilgore College and Sam Houston State in Huntsville, where I received a B.S. in criminology. I am presently completing my Master’s at The University of Texas at Tyler.

In 1976 we purchased seventeen acres in the old Hickey community south of Henderson. Our property is next door to the site of the original Hickey School. We have continued to raise horses and currently have dogs, cats, chickens, and a calf as permanent pets.

On April 20, 1981, after nine months of waiting, the first native of Rusk County was born to our family. Susan Elise Johnston arrived at 3:15 AM, and our lives have not been the same since. Sometimes we look back with envy at our old carefree life before Susan, but those feelings disappear with the first smile from Susan each morning.

So, here we are in Henderson. Sandy is at home now giving Susan the attention she needs. I am still working for the probation department and look forward to getting home to the country life each day. We manage to travel fairly often but always look forward to returning to Rusk County and the good life. Thanks, Rusk County, for making us at home.

Submitted by Jon Johnston