He was born on Sept. 9, 1925, in McCune to Owen and Mabel (Laird) Johnston. He lived in Southeast Kansas most of his life. He attended McCune Elementary School and graduated from McCune High School. He received a bachelor’s degree and master’s degree from Kansas State University.
Ira was a vocational-technical and agriculture teacher at McCune High School for 28 years and was a real estate broker and appraiser for more than 10 years, working until age 81.
He married Donna Lee Stewart in 1948 in Pittsburg. She preceded him in death on July 16, 1972.
He married Dorothy Sjorlund in 1973 in Parsons. They later divorced.
He was a member of McCune United Methodist Church, was an FFA advisor and was instrumental in organizing and beginning the Young Farmers Association chapter in Southeast Kansas.
Survivors include a daughter, Sheila Hensley-Johnson and her husband, Albert, of Pittsburg; a son, Doug Johnston and his wife, Patty, of Lee’s Summit, Mo.; a daughter-in-law, Karen Johnston of Pittsburg; a brother, Marvin Johnston of McCune; nine grandchildren, Shannon Hensley, Caleb Hensley, Nathan Hensley, Deidre Spahn, Miranda Caskey, Andrea Howell, Douglas Ira Ray Johnston, Benjamin Johnston and Jana Johnston; 12 1/2 great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.
In addition to his first wife, he was preceded in death by his parents; a son, Jeffrey Owen Johnston; a brother, Clyde Johnston; and three sisters, Edna Leigh, Lois Amos and Nadine Mullen.
The service will be at 10 a.m. Saturday at McCune United Methodist Church with Pastor Linda Eads officiating. Burial will follow in McCune City Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 6 to 7 p.m. Friday at Bath-Naylor Funeral Home in Pittsburg, where friends may call after 1 p.m. Friday.
Memorials are suggested to the McCune Alumni Association and may be left at or mailed to the funeral home, 522 S. Broadway, Pittsburg, 66762.
Online condolences can be left at www.bathnaylor.com.
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