Gregory Johnston

Gregory "Greg" Alan Johnston, 77, of Des Moines, IA, passed away on May 8, 2025, at the Rehabilitation Center of Des Moines after a valiant battle with respiratory problems and other health issues. A Celebration of Life Service will be held at the Dallas Christian Church in Dallas, IA, on May 24, 2025, at 10:00 a.m. A light lunch will be served following services. A private family internment will follow. Memorials may be given to the Dallas Christian Church.
Greg was born on July 28, 1947, in Council Bluffs, Iowa to Lyle and Virginia Johnston and attended Abraham Lincoln High School in Council Bluffs. The hand of the Lord was upon Greg at an early age as he preached his first sermon at the age of 13 at the First Christian Church in Council Bluffs. With encouragement from his mother and grandmother he enrolled in Nebraska Christian College. He later moved back to California and began his ministry as youth minister in Arleta, California and other churches in the Sacrament and Palmdale area. During that time, he also gained a reputation as a semi-professional gospel singer. He met and married his wife, Sharron, in 1975 and adopted her son, John. Unfortunately, this union ended in divorce in 1982.
Greg moved to Iowa in the summer of 1982 and began a full-time ministry at the Dallas Christian Church located in Dallas, IA. He was ordained to the work of Christian Ministry on May 27, 1984, by the Ordination Council comprised of Tom Oliphant (Officiant) from Des Moines, IA, and church elders Keith Stull, Darwin Damon, David Willoughby, and Herman Roberts. Greg obtained his Bachelor of Bible Theology from the International Bible Institute and Seminary on June 26, 1987. He developed many close and endearing friendships while at Dallas, several of which he maintained until the time of his death.
While in Dallas, IA, he became a licensed foster care parent and accepted several foster children into his home. Two of these charges found a special place in his heart. He chose and adopted Jason and Jerry as his sons. From their arrival in his home until his dying day, he loved, cherished, and offered support and encouragement to them. Further exemplifying his love of children, he received the Iowa Governor's Award of Excellence in Foster Care from Governor Branstad on May 10, 1988.
After leaving the Church at Dallas, he continued his preaching ministry in Grant, New Mexico; Roscoe, Missouri; and a 2nd ministry with the Church in Dallas. Later he started an inner-city church simply called "The Church" at Java Joe's Coffee House in Des Moines. Upon his admission in 2017, he shared his love for the Lord with the residents and staff of the Rehabilitation Center of Des Moines, praying for them, encouraging them and often holding Bible Studies for them.
Greg had several other loves during his life – music, painting, working on the Johnston family tree, and developing an extended social media presence. He frequently shared his vocal gift at various churches singing at weddings, funerals, mini concerts and at Community Gospels Sings. His love of painting began at an early age. Later examples of his work will be displayed at his Celebration of Life Service. He was proud of his Scottish heritage and had reportedly traced it back to William Wallace, the famed knight portrayed in the movie "Braveheart". Greg was also the co-creator/editor of the Face Book page "The Church Ladies - Recipes and More". As his vocal talents began fading, he channeled his imagination and humor into various characters he created for YouTube videos - Aegan Montgomery, Cowboy Rusty Nails, Horatio, and Arggyle Rose
To say that Greg had a zest for life, loving people and serving his Lord and Savior would be a huge understatement.
Greg was preceded in death by his parents Lyle and Virginia Johnston; brothers Lyle "Buzz" Johnston Jr; Howard Wayne "Sunny"/"Siggy" Johnston; sister Juanita Powell; and daughter-in-law Annette Joyce Johnston. He is survived by his sons Jason Johnston of Des Moines, IA; Jerry (Jessica) Johnston of Des Moines, IA; and John Johnston of California; grandchildren Ashley Rose Bragg (Johnston) of Dyersburg, TN; Timothy Alan Johnston of Beaver Dam, WI; America Johnston of Des Moines, IA; Atlantis Johnston of Oxford, AL; and Alyssa Johnston also of Des Moines, IA; his brother Gary (Faye) Johnston of Palmdale, CA; nieces, nephews, and his church families and friends. To send flowers to the family of Gregory, please visit our floral store.