Jeffrey Hardin Johnston

His parents were told they could not have children, so they planned their life accordingly. Then 11 years later, Jeffrey Hardin Johnston was born on January 9, 1980, in Tulsa, Oklahoma, to Ron and Marvene Johnston. He called himself an accident, his parents called him a blessing. He was an easy child to raise. He was mindful, respectful and accepting of the rules mom and dad had laid down…..mostly. He early years, outside of school, were spent fishing and swimming. Much of it with the Sperlings, who they spent many weekends with on Ft. Gibson Lake, later graduating to Jet Skis. He also spent much of his time with the Addisons, going on vacations with Rod, Jan, and their three sons. Jeff attended Owasso Schools all through to his graduation. He was a member of the Odyssey of the Mind team, which was a creative problem solving team that went to the world finals. He later became a competition judge. He attended the Quartz Mountain Art Institute on a writing scholarship. After working in Yellowstone National Park, he returned to attend Oklahoma City University and the University of Oklahoma. Jeff was blessed with athletic ability and talent, and he loved his sports, playing baseball, soccer, football, track, karate, and other “made up’ games. He played catcher on the Oklahoma team that competed in the 16-year-old World Series in Wisconsin. He went to the State Champion as a sophomore in pole vaulting. He was MVP on the Owasso track team his Junior season. He was also one of the youngest in Oklahoma to achieve a Jr. Black Belt in Taekwondo. Jeff was fiercely loyal to his friends. While he had invested greatly in learning the craft of pole vaulting, having studied under Olympian Joe Dial as well as receiving training at the University of Kansas, he gave up his opportunity at the state championships his Senior season so that he could play soccer just one season with his friends on the school team. To him, it was an easy decision. He other love was music, or, his first love really. He progressed from air guitar with a chestnut roaster to the real thing when his grandmother gave him a small Harmony guitar. It didn’t take long for him to learn all his dad could teach him, and was mostly self-taught after that. Still today someone will occasionally mention the Shampoo Horns, the band he formed in high school. They had a dedicated group of fans who attended every performance. He would later move to Austin, Texas, to study music production and sound engineering at Arlyne Studios, more commonly known as Willie Nelson studios. That is where he met Drew Mix, who would become a dear friend. After high school Jeff rarely played in bands. He wrote and recorded many songs, most of them solo. He composed and recorded the soundtrack’s on Sterlin Harjo’s early films, all receiving awards at the Sundance Film Festival. Jeff had three dogs in his life that were and are uniquely his, FEEKS, Murphy Brown, and Otis Redding. FEEKS and Otis are buried at the cabin he loved so much, which is where he wished for his ashes to be scattered. The cabin was his favorite place, next to Cedar Lake at the foot of Talimena Drive in the Kiamichi Mountains, the place he considered home. Jeff was extremely close to his family. He clung tightly to the traditions created during the holidays. His Aunt Dee and Aunt Sue considered him their grandson. An avid outdoorsman, many followed him on Facebook to see what recent critter he may have befriended. That one encounter with a Copperhead he would probably take back. He had an unusual sense of humor and wit that made his writing fun to read. Few can imagine the courage shown during his battle, which was remarkable, although difficult to witness. All the time he was thinking and worrying more about others than himself. He was still concerned about his mom and dad to the very end. Those he leaves behind who hold many cherished memories include: His parents, Ron and Marvene Johnston Aunt Dee Metzger, Aunt Sue and Uncle Charles Blake Cousins, Steve and Debbie Salmon, Don and Teri Sawyer, D and Leah Mashburn, Alex and Lacey Mehlinger, Rod and LeAnne Blake, Mindy Blake, Shayne and Lindsey Martinez, Max and Angie Blake, Matthew and Sydney Ferren, Kirby Blake, James and Tami Sawyer, and a host of other friends and relatives. A celebration of Jeff’s life was held 1:30 Friday, April 14, 2023, at the Mowery Funeral Service Chapel in Owasso with Steve Mowery officiating and Drew Nix providing special music. Arrangements and services were entrusted to Mowery Funeral Service of Owasso. www.moweryfs.com

Jeffrey Hardin Johnston

January 9, 1980 - April 2, 2023