Curtis Boyd Johnston

Curtis Boyd Johnston, Jr., 92, passed away on March 31, 2023. He was born on September 17, 1930, to the late Flora Durst Canada and Curtis Boyd Johnston, Sr. 

Curt was a member of Our Lady of Holy Souls Parish. He graduated in 1949 from Catholic High School for Boys, where he played football for 4 years and ran track. Curt participated in the first high school football game ever played in War Memorial Stadium. In 1953, he graduated from the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville. He was then drafted in 1954, where he was a veteran of the Korean War. He was part of the 2^nd armored tank division, “Hell on Wheels”.

Curt is survived by his wife and high school sweetheart, Betty Frazier Johnston of almost 70 years; 3 daughters, Cathy Robinson (John) of Little Rock, AR. Joni Calva (Dan) of Houston, TX. and Patti Burton (Bruce) of Broken Arrow, OK; a son, Mike Johnston of Plano, TX; 8 grandchildren; 7 great-grandchildren; two nieces and a nephew. 

Curt worked at Southwestern Bell Telephone Co./SBC for over 33 years. He was an avid runner, sportsman, hunter, golfer, and fisherman. He coached his daughters’ softball teams and his son’s football teams. He volunteered at his children’s’ swim meets, was an usher and served on several committees at church, and enjoyed rooting for the Razorbacks. Curt loved to laugh, but more, he loved making others laugh. 

A visitation will be held at 9:30 am on Monday, April 10, 2023, at Holy Souls, 1003 N Tyler St, Little Rock, followed by a mass at 10:30 am. A burial will be at 12:00 pm at Arkansas State Veterans Cemetery, 2401 John Ashley Dr, North Little Rock.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Catholic High School for Boys or Our Lady of Holy Souls Church.

Arrangements entrusted to Smith Little Rock Funeral Home.