Herman Denvill Johnston

Herman Denvill Johnston of Gulfport, 88, died May 10, 2025, in his home, surrounded by loving family and following a long battle with dementia.

He and his wife of 61 years, Lethalia, shared a marriage filled with laughter, love and adventure.

Herman loved life, He loved his Lord, and he loved his family, his friends, and his boats. His favorite was a sailboat named the “Wilewind”. Herman was a seasoned sailor who once spent so much time at the Gulfport Marina that he was dubbed the Mayor of Pier 2.

At the Johnston house, it was always an open house for friends and family to come over for a cocktail, impromptu cookout or leftovers.

After Herman retired from the U.S. Air Force, he had two more careers. He worked as director of the lab and X-ray department at the Choctaw Indian Reservation hospital near Philadelphia, MS.; Then he went into medical laboratory sales for multiple companies.

During this time, he also served on the Leake County School Board in Carthage, MS.

Herman had a strong faith in God, knowing that God is in control. As his health declined, he and Thalia counted their blessings daily and marveled at having so many.

He was a member of Handsboro Presbyterian Church, which he called a small church with a big heart.

He is survived by his wife, Lethalia Johnston; sons, Denny (Mel) Johnston, Silver Hill, AL, and Michael (Melissa) Johnston, Carthage; grandchildren, Tristan Johnston of Jackson and Halley Johnston, Carthage; Drew (Elizabeth) Johnston, Starkville; great grandchildren Camille, Luke and Jack; and his sister, Cindy (Mike) Kelly, Vancleave, MS.

Services will be held on Friday, May 23, 2025 at 10:30am at the  Hansboro Presbyterian Church, 1304 East Pass Rd., Gulfport, MS 39507. Visitation and reception to follow at the Heritage Place Club House on Independence Dr., Gulfport.  Memorials may be made to Handsboro Presbyterian Church.

Bradford-O'Keefe Funeral Home, 15th street Gulfport, is honored to serve the family of Herman Denvill Johnston.