John Preston Johns

As a man who deeply loved the Lord, John held closely throughout his life to the promise of John 3:16 and the hope expressed in Ezekiel 37, that God brings life where there is death and restoration where there is loss. His faith remained a source of strength throughout his life and guided him through both joy and hardship.

John was born on September 7, 1940, in Denver, Colorado, to Harold Preston and Florence Ellen (Whitehurst) Johns. He grew up in Omaha, Nebraska, where he graduated from North High School. He was an avid Nebraska Cornhusker fan and an active member of the Washington Cornhuskers, where he and Donna spent many Saturday afternoons cheering alongside friends.

John lived a life marked by service, duty, and hard work. He served in the Vietnam War and was awarded the Bronze Star Medal for meritorious achievement in ground operations against hostile forces. He later continued his commitment to public service through more than 25 years with the federal government as a federal revenue agent. John also volunteered as Treasurer for Zion Lutheran Church and later Bethel Lutheran Church, where all three of his children were confirmed in their Lutheran faith.

Above all, John was devoted to his family and his faith. He was married to his beloved wife, Donna, for more than 58 years. She was the love of his life and his best friend. Together, they built a life centered on faith, family, and enduring love. He coached his children’s sports teams and never missed a game or practice. Long after his children had grown and moved on, he continued to support the student athletes at Shorewood High School, where he could be found in the stands cheering on the Thunderbirds for many years.

He took seriously the words of Matthew 22:37: “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.” He sought to live those words by teaching his family to love God and to treat others with kindness, generosity, and compassion.

John never seemed to meet a stranger. Whether at a college football game, on his daily walks of miles upon miles around town, or gathered with family and friends, he had a natural way of connecting with people. He brought warmth, humor, a loud voice, and a strong presence wherever he went. His dry and sometimes mischievous sense of humor was part of the personality that made him so deeply loved. John never missed an opportunity for a social connection, whether with family, friends, or not-yet-friends.

John also faced many challenges over the course of his life. As the eldest of four children, he experienced the heartbreaking loss of each of his siblings. He found comfort in knowing they each had a personal relationship with Jesus and in his belief that they would be reunited for eternity. Through hardship, he remained steady in his faith and devoted to his family. He worked hard, never complained, and continued to place his trust in God.

His family will remember John as a devoted husband, father, grandfather, uncle, veteran, public servant, and man of faith. More than anything, they will remember the lesson he lived and passed on to them: love God, love others, and love them well through service.

John is survived by his beloved wife, Donna Johns; his daughter, Maureen Johns, and her daughter, Lorraine Johns-De La Garza; his son, Matthew Johns, and his wife, Rhonda, and their children, Chase and Raele Johns; and his daughter, Colleen Johns, and her son, Anthony Michael Jr. He is also survived by his sister-in-law, Judy Johns, and his nieces and nephews, Donna, Barbara, David, Shane, and Robert.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Harold and Florence Ellen (Whitehurst) Johns; his sister, Judy (Johns) Kemp, her husband, Roger, and their daughter, Kimberly; his sister, Stephanie Mulbach, and her son, Bryan; and his brother, Terry Johns.

John will be laid to rest with full military honors at Tahoma National Cemetery on November 27, 2026, in recognition of his service as a Vietnam War veteran. The service will begin promptly at 12:30 p.m. and last 30 minutes. (Service details will be in the comments below.) Family and friends are invited to gather in remembrance of John’s life, his service, his devotion to family, and the faith that sustained him throughout his 86 years.