Jed Jeffrey Johnston

July 17, 1958 - December 10, 2013 Jed Jeffrey Johnston, 55 of Troutman, passed away peacefully at the Gordon Hospice House in Statesville, NC on December 10, 2013. Jed was born July 17, 1958 at Cabarrus Hospital in Concord, NC to Marsha Starnes Johnston and the late Bill Johnston. He is survived by his two children who he loved with all his heart, Sidney Ann Johnston (21) and Houston Andrew Johnston (19), both of Texas. He is also survived by his mother, Marsha Johnston of Troutman; his grandmother, Creola Starnes (101 years old) of Waxhaw; his two sisters, Terri Johnston Mayhew of Cornelius and Tona Johnston of Charlotte; and one niece, Ashley Mayhew of Mt. Pleasant, SC. He is further survived by four uncles. Melvin D. Starnes (Sue) of Raleigh, NC, the Rev. Paul Starnes (Judy) of Lake Junaluska, NC, Larry M. Starnes (Rhonda) of Dade City, FL and Don Waterman of Newland, NC; one aunt, Dot Johnston of Mooresville; his devoted friend and companion, Amanda M. Weiser of Troutman; and numerous family relatives. Jed was a 1977 graduate of South Iredell High School. After graduation, he joined the US Navy and served his country honorably for five years. After leaving the military, he retired from State Farm Insurance in July 2013. He lived the past 30 years in Texas where his favorite pastime was fishing in Freeport on the Gulf coast. It brought much joy and contentment to him. Jed was blessed with many wonderful and faithful friends while living there. Jed returned home to Troutman with health issues. He was treated at the VA Hospital in Salisbury, NC and in Statesville by Dr. Bob Reindollar, Dr. Ruby Grimm and Gordon Hospice House, all with loving care. Jed began attending his childhood church, Troutman First United Methodist, this year. He also reconnected with many of his old friends. This meant so much to him. We all want to remember one thing "to know Jed was to love Jed". A visitation will be held on Saturday, December 14th from 5-7:00 p.m. at the home of Marsha Johnston, 647 Georgie Street, Troutman, NC. A memorial service will be held on Sunday, December 15th at 2:00 p.m. at Troutman First United Methodist Church, 204 Mills Avenue, Troutman, NC. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to the Playground Fund of First United Methodist Church, PO Box 717, Troutman, NC 28166 or to Gordon Hospice House, 2347 Simonton Road, Statesville, NC 28677.