Dr. Richard E. Johnston, professor Emeritus of Political Science at the University of North Texas, has passed away. He was born on July 6, 1923 in Oklahoma to Gan W. and Hazel E. Johnston of Oklahoma City. He was 95 years old.

Richard graduated from Classen High School in Oklahoma City and valued his education there. He felt it was instrumental in giving him the background for his later success in the academic world.

In 1941 World War II broke out for the United States and shortly thereafter he joined the United States Army Air Corp. He trained entirely in Texas and California and ended up as a P38 Pilot. He was stationed in England and then Belgium. On Valentine's Day of 1945 he was dive bombing installations near Cologne when he was shot down by flak. He spent the rest of the war in POW camps in Germany.

He earned his B.A. degree at East Central State College in Ada Oklahoma where he met and married Bettye Jeanne Dickey his fellow classmate in the drama department. After graduation he was admitted to the University of Chicago where he obtained his Master's degree. Richard taught the next few years at Odessa College before enrolling in the University of Texas, Austin where he earned his Doctorate. He taught Political Science at L.S.U. in Baton Rouge for 5 years the accepted a position at the University of North Texas in 1967 and spent the rest of his academic career here in Denton.

Dr. Johnston was preceded in death by his parents, brother, Gan and sisters, Mildred and Marjorie. His is survived by his sister, Hazel Rozzell of Oklahoma. He also leaves behind his daughter, Sherry K. Campbell and her daughter, Shannon Campbell of California, son, Richard E. Johnston of Oklahoma and his daughter, Evennee Lowrence and husband, James of Oklahoma and Alexandra Johnston of Denton. Daughter, Robin L. Johnston of Denton and her son, Zachary L. Johnston, his wife Jennifer Johnston and his three great grandchildren, Alfred Johnston, Murphey Johnston and Hazel Johnston.