Bruce Paul Johnston

Bruce Paul Johnston, of Pamplico, South Carolina, passed away on November 9, 2025. Bruce was born in Ossweil, Ludwigsburg, Germany, to the late Willie B Johnston and Hannelore Eva (Gottschalk) Johnston.

Growing up, his father was a Military Police Officer in the U.S. Army, and their family lived in Germany for several years, as well as in Kentucky, Washington, and Tennessee, until he retired in Colorado. Bruce joined the U.S. Army as soon as he could, enjoying his time as an MP and later as an ammunition specialist. He was stationed in Germany, as well as a variety of posts in the United States. He was hired at the Charles County Detention Center as a correctional officer, switching to the Maryland Division of Corrections, where he later retired. He was a member of the Maryland National Guard, and took on part-time jobs in security positions to “keep busy” at Andrews Air Force Base and Civista Medical Center.

Bruce, Butch, Pop, PopPop, thoroughly loved, and was very proud of, Josh and Tim, and being a grandfather to all of their children. He was present at, or shortly thereafter, all births, not afraid to hold the new arrivals. He was often found sitting with one or more watching various children’s shows, attending ball games or practices, making his potato salad or blueberry pancakes for them, and watching them play outside or in the pool.

Bruce enjoyed living on the farm, away from neighbors, but was a social butterfly. He knew everyone at Civista, and would strike up conversations with complete strangers everywhere. He could be found cutting grass, playing on the tractor, shooting targets, or just “checking” the woods. He enjoyed talking with Josh, Tim, family and friends, about his exploits in the military, history, politics, hunting, and whatever other topics came up.

He is survived by his son Joshua Anthony Johnston, and his children: Chloe Elizabeth, Jack Michael Mihretu, Liam Bruce, and Olivia Renee Johnston, his wife Cecilia (Bonnie) Johnston, stepson Timothy Dale Kendrick, Jr. (Nicole), and their children: Carly Patricia, Addison Willow, and Jameson Carlisle Kendrick. He is also survived by his brother, Robert Wayne Johnston (Debra), his sons Nataniel Robert Wayne Johnston and Corbin Turner Johnston, and brother, Joe Lee Johnston and his son, Nolan Ryan Johnston. Bruce was predeceased by his sister Beverly Marie Johnston.

He was a member of the Anglican Catholic Church of Our Savior, Florence, South Carolina.