Obituaries

Tim Johnston, 71, of Sherman, passed away on Thursday, September 12, 2024 surrounded by family in Houston, Texas.

Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. on Friday, September 20 at Dannel Funeral Home. Pastor Leland Samuelson will be officiating. The family will receive friends at Dannel Funeral Home from 5 to 7 p.m. on Thursday, September 19.

Tim was born on June 18, 1953 to George (Hap) & Nancy Johnston. He graduated from Sherman High School in 1971. He worked at Gibson’s in Sherman for over fifteen years and held the role of assistant store manager. Tim was also a second-generation watchmaker, who learned the trade at an early age from his dad. In 1985, he and his former wife, Delia, opened up Johnston Jewelry in downtown Sherman. Tim was sorely missed by many customers when he closed the doors after serving the community for over thirty-five years.

When Tim wasn’t hard at work behind his watch bench at what his family lovingly called “the store,” he could be found in the back underneath a car. He had a passion for driving and restoring vehicles of all sorts, especially muscle cars and Chevrolet 4x4 and heavy-duty trucks. In his younger days he liked drag racing cars, like his AMC Javelin, and he was also an adventurous hill climber on two wheels. Later on, he opened a second business, Johnston’s Classic Cars, and he sold many vehicles after meticulously cleaning and fixing them up. His store’s showroom floor often showcased a rotating display of his prized cars, and he always had a project to keep him busy in his home garage.

Tim was a kind, generous man who valued friendship and family above all. He was always quick to lend a helping hand and would do anything for those he loved. Tim had two daughters, Nicole and Tara, and one granddaughter, Deven, who meant the world to him. Many great memories were made at the lake, on the archery range, at “the store,” in the pool, and just hanging out with family and friends. Tim was proud of his family roots in Tennessee and Texas. This past spring, he took a road trip with family to the hills of eastern Tennessee where his dad grew up. He enjoyed reminiscing and spending time with his family. Tim will be deeply missed, but his legacy of love, generosity, and kindness will live on in the hearts of those who knew him.

Tim was a member of the Sherman Elks Lodge and a proud supporter of U.S. Veterans. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in Tim’s memory to the Elks National Foundation.

Tim is preceded in death by his parents, Hap and Nancy Johnston, and his brother, Terry Johnston. He is survived by his daughter, Nicole Barnes and her husband, Steven; daughter Tara Johnston; and granddaughter Deven Barnes; and numerous close friends.