Kenneth Poe Funeral Services

August 1, 2023

CHARLOTTE – Dr. John G. Johnston died at his home at Sharon Towers, Tuesday, August 1, 2023, with his wife and son by his side. The cause of death was – a whole lot of life. John faced a myriad of medical challenges and outlived all expectations. And he did this with humor, humility, and grace.  As one friend said, “he was a model of unselfconscious courage.” John will be most remembered for his deep care for people. He lived in the moment, giving everyone, of all walks of life, his focused attention.  This applied to his family, his friends, his patients at the clinic, and sometimes the gas station attendant. For this reason, John was also known to be habitually late (though also late in dying, so perhaps worth it!).

John was born in Charlotte in 1942, one of five children of Dorothy and Hall Johnston.  Running around in the wilds near his home on Park Road, he developed a love for plants and landscaping; he built a greenhouse in his backyard in middle school.  John attended Myers Park High School and was Student Body President in his senior year, exhibiting his natural leadership skills, and also admonishing people for walking on the grass – he was, after all, a rule follower.  John first met Laurie Hurt in the 7^th Grade and later she became his best friend and the love of his life.  John and Laurie married in 1964.

John attended UNC Chapel Hill for undergraduate and medical school. His drive to help the underprivileged took hold during this period, including his lifelong efforts to make sure everyone has access to affordable health care. During medical school, he co-founded the Student Health Action Coalition. SHAC involved students providing medical care to the underserved. Today, SHAC is the longest running organization of its kind in the country.

After graduating medical school in 1969, John and Laurie and their young family spent some years on the west coast, where John did a pediatric residency through the Univ. of Washington at Seattle Children’s Hospital; received a master’s degree in Public Health at UC Berkeley; and worked at the Odessa Brown Clinic, a free inner-city clinic in Seattle.

Upon returning to Charlotte in 1974, John began pediatric practice at the Charlotte Pediatric Clinic, where he worked for 18 years. In 1992, John joined the newly created Teen Health Connection, where he served as Medical Director as well as the Director of Adolescent Medicine at Carolinas Medical Center. He served these roles until 2004.

John contributed his expertise to several professional organizations, including as Chairman of the Family Support Center in Charlotte, Chairman of Youth Homes in Charlotte, member of the Health Education Task Force for Charlotte Meck. Schools, and on the Child Health Committee for Meck. County, among others.

John was recognized for his commitment to compassionate health care for all. Some of his awards included: Unsung Hero Award (1995, Leadership Charlotte); Service to Mankind Award (1995, Sertoma Club); Carlton G. Watkins Award (2002); Unsung Hero Award (2004, Rotary Club); the David T. Tayloe Award (2005, NC Pediatric Society); and the Distinguished Medical Alumnus Award (2015, Univ. of NC School of Medicine).

In his later years, John returned to his landscaping roots while managing the family’s farm property near Lancaster, SC.  He loved working on the farm, travelling with family and friends, attending his men’s lunch group and book group, and spending time with his kids and grandkids.

John is survived by his wife, Laurie Hurt Johnston; his son, Gardner Johnston and wife, Sarah Fox, of Hood River, OR; his two granddaughters, Riley and Tate; his sisters, Jenny Singleton and husband, Rudolph Singleton, of Fayetteville, NC and Beegie Caviness, of Fayetteville, NC; his brother, Morry Johnston and wife, Ginny, of Charlotte.  Also surviving are his many nieces, nephews, and cousins.  He was predeceased by his daughter, Paige Johnston Thomas and his brother, Zeke Johnston.

Our sincere gratitude to a very special Dr. Albert Hudson, Atrium Health, who was always there when we needed him.

A memorial service will be held at 1:00 PM Thursday, August 10, 2023, at Myers Park Baptist Church, 1900 Queens Road, Charlotte, NC. The family will receive friends following the service in Heaton Hall.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be offered in memory of John to the Teen Health Connection for the Johnston Ziegler Youth Leadership Scholarship (https://teenhealthconnection.org/give-now).

Arrangements are in the care of Kenneth W. Poe Funeral & Cremation Service, 1321 Berkeley Ave., Charlotte, NC 28204; (704) 641-7606. Online condolences may be shared at www.kennethpoeservices.com.