Bob Johnston
Tributes continue to pour in for Bob Johnston after he died Thanksgiving week. The community leader, tireless volunteer and lover of all sports had fallen while voting in the November election, then fallen again days later, leading to a series of health issues. He was 80.
“What was great about Bob was that people like me interacted with him in many ways,” said former Exchange Club President Mark Holmes. “As the ‘Voice of Lake Highlands,’ there was the LH athletics aspect. But serving in the Exchange Club with him and going to conventions with him allowed me to interface with him that way. What was common in all the ways people knew Bob was his love of the community and its residents and his service to them all.”
“Bob was a giant in our community — in stature, presence, and service,” agreed Christopher Brown. “In addition to my familiarity with him as The Voice of The Boneyard, I knew Bob through the Exchange Club of Lake Highlands of which he was a past president (2006-2007) and staple at our Friday morning meetings. By the time I joined in 2010, I’m confident Bob had left an indelible mark on the club and community, but that did not stop following his tenure as an officer and president. Bob was our source of all things LH sports related and was always quick to volunteer for anything that supported and promoted Lake Highlands — from the Fourth of July Parade to the Halloween Carnival we hosted for years at the Rec Center. With his steadfast companion, Jeri, Bob also worked tirelessly for years making our spring silent auction fundraiser a success so we could fund annual scholarships for LHHS seniors. Following Ward Beaudry’s passing, Bob took up the mantle of closing our weekly meetings with the booming opening notes of ‘My Country, ‘Tis of Thee.’ Bob was always very approachable and happy to bend an ear about the history of our community, schools, athletes, and the Exchange Club. His passing certainly leaves a void in Lake Highlands.”
Jack Hutton was a senior football captain who graduated in 2020 and played alongside his brothers, Will and Sam. He remembers the thrill of having Johnston announce their big plays at Wildcat Stadium.
“Growing up going to Lake Highlands games, playing football on Friday nights and having your name called over the loudspeakers felt like the ultimate football dream. When I first stepped on the varsity field in 2018 and heard my name called out by his iconic voice for the first time, that little boy’s dream came true. Bob Johnston was more than just a voice in the press box — his love for Lake Highlands made you feel like he was on the field with you or in the stands sitting next to you, cheering you on with a Wildcat pride like no other.”
Ricky Zorn experienced some exciting moments during his seasons playing varsity quarterback for the Wildcats in 2008 and 2009. He had recruiters scouting him from teams across the country (he eventually played wide receiver at Harvard), and he schmoozed with Will Smith and Tony Romo at a private ceremony for players and cheerleaders before the celebrities burst into a surprise pep rally at the school. Still, he considers interacting with Johnston a highlight.
“Bob Johnston had an iconic voice and an unmatched passion for the Lake Highlands Wildcats. As a high school football player, hearing him call my name on the field was an unforgettable experience. He had a way of making every play — every completed pass, first down, or touchdown — feel like the most exciting moment of the game. He made us feel like what we did truly mattered. We played for our team, our coaches, and our fans, but we also played for the magnificent voice in the press box. Bob Johnston wasn’t just an announcer; he was THE voice of Lake Highlands.”
Gale Lewis believes Johnston’s many contributions will ensure that his legacy continues.
“To me, Bob Johnston’s life epitomized ‘well done, my good and faithful servant. His contributions to Lake Highlands were immense. I’ll remember him as a Vietnam War veteran, a beloved member and past president of the Exchange Club, the ‘Voice of Lake Highlands’ who guided this extremely nervous rookie ‘voice of the Highlandettes,’ and the gentle giant with a twinkle in his eye when he donned the red suit and white beard at the YMCA. As we each reflect on our memories of Bob, let’s make a special effort to honor his legacy by fostering the unity and joy he brought to Lake Highlands.”
Bill Boyd agreed, saying Johnston’s time pouring into young men in the neighborhood will bear fruit for years to come.
“Bob epitomized a life of service. From his leadership in the Exchange Club of Lake Highlands, to his enthusiastic support of LHHS sports, to being a committed Scout leader, Bob was a constant, positive presence. On a personal level, I really appreciated Bob’s support of young leaders within the Exchange Club. He was the first to give an “attaboy” after a presentation, and he greeted me and others with a booming “good morning young man” every Friday. Bob was a true giant in our community, and he will be dearly missed.”
“Bob Johnston meant so much to the community and all those who knew him,” added John Torres, current president of the Exchange Club. “With a booming voice and personality to match, Bob epitomized what it meant to live in Lake Highlands: love of and service to our community. Friday nights in the fall will not be the same without the ‘Voice of Lake Highlands’ in the air.”
You may read Johnston’s obituary here:
Robert Wilson Johnston (Bob), age 80, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, November 26, 2024, at his home on White Rock Court in Dallas, Texas.
Bob was born on January 28, 1944, in Waukegan, Illinois, and grew up in Coleman, Texas. An accomplished athlete, he earned varsity letters in football, basketball, and track and field for the Coleman Blue Cats. His talents on the gridiron earned him a scholarship to the University of Texas, where he played as part of the undefeated 1963 National Championship team that triumphed over Navy in the 1964 Cotton Bowl.
In 1967, Bob married the love of his life, Jeri Lynn Boulware, on his 23rd birthday. That same year, he graduated from McMurry State and began his service as a Naval Officer after completing Officer Candidate School in Newport, Rhode Island. Stationed at the Pentagon, he worked with the Defense Intelligence Agency until completing his military service in 1970.
Returning to Dallas with Jeri and their young son, Robert, Bob built a successful career in commercial real estate lending and recovery, retiring in 2017. Afterward, he served on the Dallas Central Appraisal District’s Appraisal Review Board.
Bob’s legacy of service extended far beyond his professional life. Deeply involved in the Lake Highlands community, he gave his time and talents to countless organizations. A lifelong member of Lake Highlands United Methodist Church (LHUMC), Bob wore many hats, including MYF counselor, usher, and board chairman. He was a cornerstone of Artists of Christian Talent (ACT), serving as Technical Director and helping bring musical productions to life for over 15 years.
He also dedicated himself to Boy Scout Troop 890 as an Assistant Scoutmaster and Quartermaster, where both his sons achieved the rank of Eagle Scout. He served as President of the Lake Highlands Exchange Club and the North Texas Region of Exchange Clubs International, as well as co-president of the Lake Highlands Wildcat Club alongside Jeri.
Known affectionately as the “Voice of Lake Highlands,” Bob spent over 35 years announcing countless Wildcat sporting events. His signature phrase, “Welcome to the Boneyard!” became iconic, reflecting his love for the community he served so faithfully. In 2023, the Lake Highlands varsity baseball team honored his legacy by dedicating their press box, “The Bob Shack,” in his name.
Bob is survived by his beloved wife of 57 years, Jeri; sons Robert Eric Johnston (Ashley) of Chevy Chase, Maryland, and Brent Wilson Johnston of Denver, Colorado; grandchildren Bailey, MacDowell, Walker, Maddie, and Wyatt; and brothers James Johnston of University Park, Texas, and Donald Johnston of Southlake, Texas.
A memorial service will be held on Saturday, December 14, at 2:00 PM at Lake Highlands United Methodist Church, with a reception to follow. Interment at DFW National Cemetery will take place at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Lake Highlands United Methodist Church or the Lake Highlands Wildcat Club.
Bob Johnston’s enduring legacy of love, service, and community will live on in the countless lives he touched.
