John Dorrens Johnston

John Dorrens Johnston slipped away peacefully surrounded by his beloved wife and three loving daughters on July 19, 2024, two months before his 91st birthday. He was born the middle son of three boys, in Sheffield, England on September 19, 1933 to John Dorrens Johnston from Kilrea, Northern Ireland, and Dorothy Patrick of Edinburgh, Scotland, both devoted doctors with a home surgery in soot-filled, industrial Sheffield. John was separated from his family at a very young age and evacuated to Broomhead Hall in the hamlet of Wigtwizzle when World War II broke out. While a lonely and sad time, he spoke fondly of this green countryside where they would often picnic as a family in the following years. As a young man he attended Trent College, where he was a star rugby and field hockey player. Then, like his parents, uncles, and older brother Frank, he completed Medical School at the University of Edinburgh. After earning his MD, he helped his parents in their surgery before heading out to find fresh air and adventure, taking the opportunity to carry out his UK National Service as a captain in the Royal Army Medical Corps in Malaysia and then Singapore before exploring Europe on his motorbike. 

He met his future wife and partner of 55 years, Jo Fletcher, while they were both working at the Derbyshire Royal Infirmary. Married and with their first daughter, Kirsty, they moved briefly to Kilkenny, Ireland before setting out for America. They landed in Minneapolis where John continued his training as a urologist and their daughters Sophie and Zoë were born. They also enjoyed brief stops in Lee, Massachusetts and Martinsville, Virginia but didn’t feel settled until they discovered a verdant corner of Southwest Virginia that reminded them of rural England. Here in Abingdon, they found an abandoned old farm house which they carefully restored as their home for the next 45 years, establishing a life-long friendship with neighbors Wiley and Mary Price and their sons. John set up a small-town urology practice and was a devoted doctor for the next 30 years, on call for his patients almost every day. On his time off, he loved to be home with his children and animals. In addition to dogs, sheep, goats, cows, ponies, peacocks, and chickens he had a fondness and fascination for wild creatures, and was known to gently catch and carry away an encroaching ‘possum or black snake. John always tended a large vegetable garden (potatoes being his specialty). He planted trees, a small vineyard and orchard, and kept bees. He baked at least six loaves of bread every Sunday, learned to make wine from his grapes (with dubious success), and loved cooking curries. He was very committed to a healthy diet and exercise and preached moderation to all those around him. He ran many 10K races, regularly biked the Creeper Trail, and swam laps until he was 90. He played the bagpipes, competing in the highland games and practicing weekly and performing with his good mates in the Appalachian Highlanders Pipes & Drums. He also appreciated classical music, especially Bach, and always encouraged his children and grandchildren to play music. He liked to sit in his armchair and read and also liked to watch a good “filum”. He loved to travel and see different parts of the world as well as regularly spend time with his nephews and extended family in Yorkshire and Derbyshire and southwest France, where his younger brother Alan and his wife Simone lived. 

John was a well-loved man by all who knew him. He was intelligent, stoic, quiet (most of the time) and unassuming, kind-hearted, hard-working, with a wonderful dry sense of humor. He was gentle, thoughtful, and always even-tempered but had an indomitable spirit. He was a devoted husband, loving Dad, and was very proud of all his six grandchildren - Gray, Josie, Georgiana, Fletcher, James, and Maeve. In his final years, he enjoyed tossing the ball for his beloved dogs, Axl and Aoife, and sitting in his various chairs, taking in the beautiful views of Tater Knob and Clinch Mountain across the hay fields. In his last weeks, he said that the family couldn’t have landed in a nicer place and that he felt very fortunate to live the life that he lived. He certainly had a full and enjoyable life, fun and adventurous, even into his nineties. He will be deeply missed and leaves a hole that can’t be filled. We have peace knowing that he’s now enjoying his heavenly cups of tea and, of course, a pint… or two. 

Those left to be inspired by his honorable character include his adoring family and friends: his wife Jo Johnston of Abingdon, VA, his daughter Kirsty Elwell and her husband Chris Elwell of Dunwoody, Georgia, daughter Sophie Johnston and her husband Kent Dougherty of Charlottesville, VA, his daughter Zoë Johnston of Abingdon, VA and grandchildren Gray Scott of Richmond, VA, Josie Jackson of Abingdon, Georgiana and Fletcher Elwell of Dunwoody, and James and Maeve Dougherty of Charlottesville. Also, his sisters-in-law across the pond, Barbara Johnston in Arkleside, England and Simone Johnston in Allemans, France, as well as his loving nephews and nieces and their families, and his cousins and their families, in England, Scotland, and France.

A special thanks to MSA Hospice and Pearl, Oksana, Jill, Luke, and Dr. Bruce Higginbothom who took such good care of John and made it possible for him to spend his final weeks at home. 

Also, a special thanks to Randy Stanley and Jeff Forrester for sending him forth with poignant pipe tunes on the back terrace, which he enjoyed immensely and which uplifted us all. 

There will be a private celebration of life with close family this fall. 

The family of John Dorrens Johnston is being cared for by Farris Funeral Service & Crematory, Main Street location, 427 E. Main Street, Abingdon VA 276-623-2700