Samuel “Sam” Byron Johnston

Samuel  “Sam” Byron Johnston, 92 years, 4 months, 28 days old, passed away on  Feb. 15, 2025, in Cabool.  On Sep. 18, 1932, Sam was born in Drury, to Charles and Ethel (Sanders) Johnston. He grew up in Drury and attended Hickory Flats School. Sam and Mary Sparks were united in marriage on June 10, 1980,  at the Douglas County courthouse in Ava. He was a hard working man and enjoyed  being on his farm. He worked in the timber as well as his vineyard. Sam was a good and honest man.
Sam was preceded in death by his parents; daughter, Gina Sparks; brothers, Tony Johnston, Gofrey Johnston and Ezra Johnston; sisters, Helen Sanders and Anna Mae Campbell. Sam is survived by his wife, Mary; his children, Dina Shoemaker, of Baxter Springs, Kan.; Iva and Andrew Debord, of Mountain Grove; Millie and Rod Weed, of Clovis, N.M.; and Steve and Vicki Johnston, of Norwood; 11 grandchildren; 12 great children; brothers, Van Johnston, of Coos Bay, Ore., and Jack Johnston, of Nixa. Funeral services for Samuel will be Monday, Feb. 17, 2025, at 2 p.m. in the Clinkingbeard Chapel, Ava. Visitation will begin at 1 p.m. until service time. Burial will be in the Pleasant Home cemetery in Drury. Officiating will be Ron McGlaughlin. Memorials may be made to Pleasant Home Cemetery.  Online condolences may be made to www.clinkingbeardfuneralhome.com.