Ill vet sees granddaughter, receives home renovation, goes camping in one weekend

In less than a week, Matt Johnston scratched off every item on his bucket list.

The requests of the Purple Heart Marine veteran battling stage-4 lung cancer were simple. He wanted to take his young grandson fishing, go camping one last time with his family, see his 2-year-old granddaughter from Hawaii and make sure he didn't leave his wife with a leaky roof.

T.J. Higgason, left, and Travis Goode work on installing a new porch during a surprise home makeover for Matthew Johnston, T.J.'s father, on Friday in Scott City. (Laura Simon)

Jason Wray, president and CEO of Creative Edge Inc. in Jackson wasn't sure what he could do to help the man he met three years ago when he helped remodel Wray's home, but wanted to do something.

He spoke with friends at McDowell South RV in Jackson, who donated an RV for Johnston and his family to use to "camp in style."

When Johnston and family took off Thursday, RV packed with supplies, including a new fishing pole for his grandson, he thought the trip was his only surprise.

While he was gone, more than 150 volunteers came together to work from the early morning hours to nearly midnight remodeling Johnston's home inside and out. But Wray said when he first started making plans with Johnston's best friend, Travis Goode, the goal was much simpler.

"We were just shooting for a roof," Goode said.

Wray made a trip to Roofers Mart Inc. in Cape Girardeau to share the story of the Scott City veteran and his simple request to fix a leaky roof for his wife. Before Wray even finished his story, he said the business was on board. It donated more than $10,000 in materials.

Jason Wray, right, escorts Matt Johnston through the throng of family and friends who came to welcome Johnston back to his renovated house Sunday, July 13, 2014 in Scott City, Missouri. (Fred Lynch)

The story quickly spread throughout the community and Wray said nearly every request was met in moments, either through social media or through volunteers making phone calls to friends and associates.

"I didn't know how big the project was going to be," he said. "It still just blows me away."

Many of the volunteers that showed up over the weekend knew Johnston and came to return a favor for the many times he extended a helping hand to them in times of need. But probably 75 percent of those who showed up, Wray estimated, were strangers inspired by Johnston's story.

Goode and Johnston's son, T.J. Higgason, would say that percentage was likely much higher.

"If somebody needs help, he's there," Higgason said. He followed in his father's footsteps and joined the Marines. He's been stationed in Hawaii with his wife, Kayla, and daughter, Abbigail, and was granted leave to come visit his father.

Higgason, who called his father his hero, joined the weekend crews restoring the house and said the experience was surreal.

"Just pulling around the corner to see all these people here helping, it speaks volumes about people," he said. "This is something you see on TV, not something you come home to."

Similar thoughts were likely rushing through his father's mind when he walked down the hill Sunday afternoon, dozens of people lining the streets and applauding as he walked toward his home.

Unaware of his son stashed away in a military Humvee, Johnston watched in disbelief as the box truck pulled away revealing his home. The roof was state of the art, the siding and front deck completely replaced. Even some of the interior received a makeover.

After touring his home, Johnston returned to the street outside where a group of Marines marched in as "God Bless America" played in the background. As the song reached its end, one Marine emerged from the crowd to approach the veteran.

Tissues were pulled out and cameras flashed as Johnston embraced his son. Just a few moments later, Higgason stood next to his father holding the granddaughter he had long waited to see.

"She's beautiful," said Johnston as he smiled at the girl with bright red curls.

He stood in the rock garden, built over the weekend and filled with messages written on stones by the volunteers, and offered his many thanks to the volunteers.

"I've personally never seen so much heart and generosity in people, ever," said Wray, standing next to him.

"I have. In the last year they just kept coming and coming," Johnston said of the friends, doctors and nurses that have been with him along his journey.

While Johnston and his family were "certainly blessed," Wray said the volunteers received much more. In the beginning, his goal was to give back to a veteran who had given so much to his country and hope it inspired others to reach out to a friend or neighbor in need.

"These things begin with an idea that is backed up by determination, passion and good spirit," he said. "I hope people near and far hear this story and are inspired to help friends and neighbors. … You can't fix everything, but we can make an effort to recognize the needs of others and try our best to help them."

Wray's stepson, Zack Koeller, also hopes to see the idea of serving others spread to other areas. He created the group World Changers, which brings teens together to help serve the community. From sweeping to staining the deck, Koeller said about 15 teenagers put in more than 50 hours of work remodeling Johnston's home.

"A lot of people go on mission trips to far away countries to do stuff like this but there are people right in our backyard who need help, too," he said. "We can make a difference. Everyone can make a difference some way, somehow."

srinehart@semissourian.com

388-3641

Pertinent address:

Scott City, Mo.