John Robert Johnston

John Robert Johnston

On Wednesday December 16, 2020, John Robert Johnston, loving husband and father of three children went to his Lord and savior. John was born in Fort Scott, Kansas on July 13, 1933 to Lenard and Marie Johnston. He was the younger brother of James Johnston. John is preceded in death by his wife of 63 years, Joanne, the two met will attending college at the University of Kansas. He took four years off from school to become a pilot for the United States Marines, flying both airplanes and helicopters during his service time. He graduated from Wichita State with an aeronautical engineering degree. His job as a sales engineer for American Standard eventually allowed for relocation to Albuquerque in 1966. In 1967 John started his own company selling HVAC equipment throughout New Mexico. The Johnston Company is still in business and thriving today. John and family made a short move from Albuquerque to Corrales in 1974 where he became quite the horseman, raising quarter horses and competing in cutting horse competitions for many years. His interests varied from being an avid hunter, fly fishing the rivers and streams of Colorado, deep sea fishing, flying his plane across the country, to playing golf any day he could find someone to drag with him to the golf course. John passed on his love of all things outdoors to his three children which he is survived by: Suzanne and Gerald Chavez, Chris and Tony Johnston, Brian and Amy Johnston. He is also survived by five grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren.

John took pride in being an active member of San Ysidro Church where he could be found every Sunday in the same pew, front and center, for 46 years. His funeral Mass will be held on Tuesday, December 29th, 2020 at San Ysidro Catholic Church on Corrales Road in Corrales, New Mexico at 10:00 am. Due to the pandemic only immediate family members will be allowed to attend. However, the service will be livestreamed on the San Ysidro church webpage at www.sanysidroparish.org