Bobbie Johnston

Bobbie Lee Johnston, 80, of Buhl, passed away, from lung cancer, on June 6, 2012 at his home, surrounded by his family.

He was born in Bassett, Nebraska on June 21, 1931 to Gabe and Neita Johnston. They moved to Twin Falls, Idaho in 1944. Bobbie graduated from Twin Falls High School in 1949.

After graduation he joined the Air Force, spending most of his four years of service in Blaine, Washington. The summer of his discharge, Bobbie worked on a fishing boat in Alaska.

He returned to Twin Falls, working various jobs and married Janice Lange of Eden, Idaho in 1956. They spent five years in California before returning to Twin Falls, Idaho. In 1962, they purchased a home in Buhl and a Farmer's Insurance Agency. To this union were born four children; Gary Derrick, Ann and Susan. They later divorced. Bobbie remained in Buhl a place that he loved.

In 1984, Bobbie married Joyce Trautwein-Clark of Twin Falls formerly of Eden. They worked at the insurance agency until 1994. Bobbie retired after thirty-two years of selling insurance. After retirement, Bobbie and Joyce (or Killer as he referred to her) golfed, fished traveled and enjoyed their freedom. Their yearly trips to Island Park snowmobiling was a treasured tradition. They had many hours of fun riding their sleds and viewing the sights around Yellowstone with their dear friends, Kay and Jack Fields.

Bobbie loved to hunt, especially ducks, with his constant companion, a lab. He had a lab of every color over the years and loved each one. Fishing with his friends Dave Christensen, Clem Emerson and the last few years with Calvin Graybeal gave him great satisfaction. He enjoyed tying his own flies and teaching others to tie flies as well. His greatest joy was teaching his sons to golf, fish and hunt. He loved watching his girls grow into beautiful, compassionate and capable women and mothers. His grandchildren gave him great pleasure and he was proud of their accomplishments.

Bobbie was a long time member of the Buhl Lions Club, spending many hours husking corn and selling corn at the fair. Ducks Unlimited was his passion for many years. He co-chaired the dinners and auctions several times.

Bobbie is survived by his wife, Joyce; children, Derrick Johnston of Twin Falls, Gary Johnston of Tioga, North Dakota, Ann Doyea of Kimberly and Susan Newhouse of Twin Falls; eleven wonderful grandchildren; two step-daughters, Pam Webb of Burley and Erlene (Charles) Henderson of Knoxville, Iowa.

He was preceded in death by his parents and sister Deloris Edwards.

The family would like to thank Idaho Home Health and Hospice for their compassion and help the last three months, especially Terri and Robert.

A funeral service will be 11 a.m., Wednesday, June 13, 2012 at the First Christian Church in Buhl. A viewing will be 5 - 7 p.m. Tuesday, June 12 at Farmer Funeral Chapel in Buhl. Interment to follow services at Buhl's West End Cemetery.

The family suggests donations to the Buhl Boys and Girls Club or the Buhl Quick Response Unit.